Total Depravity

Paul in Romans 3 discusses what is described by theologians as the Total Depravity of Man. Romans 3:10-12 (NRSV) describes this concept well:
¹⁰as it is written: ‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one; ¹¹ there is no one who has understanding, there is no one who seeks God. ¹² All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, there is not even one.’

There is no person (except Jesus) who, on his/her own abilities or desire, seeks out God or has any hint of righteousness. Our only inclination, without God's grace, is to run away from God and scoff at everything he has to say. We have no ability on our own to turn toward God and seek him.

We have no free will to want anything to do with God. It is only when God comes to us, in His grace, that we have any ability to respond to Him.

This is where Jacobus Arminius and his many followers depart from Scripture when they say that we can choose God of our own free will. Without the Holy Spirit working in our lives to turn us to God (remember "all have turned aside"), we have no ability or desire or free will to want anything to with or for God.

Introduction

I wanted to start out by explaining the title of the blog. Lean Not comes from Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." This is one of the toughest things to do from day to day (minute by minute for that matter) but I thought it may be a good place to start.

Trusting in the LORD with all my heart is not something I do well. But, over time through sanctification, He will increase my ability to do so.