F-14. The FALSE DOCTRINE of ORIGINAL SIN! DOWNLOAD to SAVE as a PDF Doc to read OFFLINE. F-14. The FALSE DOCTRINE of ORIGINAL SIN!
Is the DOCTRINE of TOTAL DEPRAVITY Biblical?
Now at first, this study may seem to have TWO different titles, because this study is actually two studies in one. This study in God's word will be primarily focused upon pulling down the strongholds of the enemy that has fostered the false man-made doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY. However, it will be needful to go into some detail on the false teaching of the doctrine of ORIGINAL SIN as well that falsely teaches that all men have inherited a sinful NATURE because of Adam and Eve's original sin. The term doctrine of “ORIGINAL SIN” and the term sinful “NATURE” means different things to different Christians. To Catholics, the doctrine of original sin means that ALL of mankind has inherited the penalty of death for Adam’s sin at birth. This is why the Roman Catholic Church dreamed up the doctrine of baptizing babies as soon as possible. Now, when you think this through for yourself, the Catholic Church also teaches that human LIFE begins at conception so now they have another problem with the doctrine of INHERITING the penalty of Adam's original sin. How can a baby be baptized before he or she is born? No dear children of God, baby baptism is NOT required by God himself to cleanse a baby from the so-called “inherited” sin of Adam. Please read the study “THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY”, where God himself does not hold any human accountable for their sin until a certain age well past the infant and toddler stage of life, but for now, please understand that every human being is accountable ONLY for their OWN sin. Now, other Christians do NOT see that humans inherit the actual penalty for Adam's sin called the original sin, but rather they teach that all of mankind INHERITS a sin NATURE. So then, what do they mean by teaching that everyone has a “sin” NATURE? Again, Christians differ on what is meant by the word “nature”. Some Christians teach that Christians have inherited a sinful NATURE because of Adam’s original sin. And to them, that means that it is the “nature” for humans to sin. In other words, it is HUMAN NATURE to sin. Other Christians take this meaning to the extreme teaching that it is IMPOSSIBLE for humans to live WITHOUT sinning. And it is this doctrine of Calvinism of TOTAL DEPRAVITY that we will also cover in this study of God's word. For you see, the doctrine of total depravity is based upon the teaching known as the doctrine of ORIGINAL SIN as being sound Biblical teaching. Now, just being an ACCEPTED Orthodox teaching does not automatically make some teaching to be sound Biblical teaching. The doctrine of original sin is indeed widely accepted and taught in not only Calvinism and Reformed Theology but is also taught by many other denominations of the mainstream church. My point is that if it was not the false doctrine of ORIGINAL SIN then that FALSE doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY would have probably never have been formed by men. In other words, without the false doctrine of original sin, the doctrine of total depravity falls apart. And if even one point of Calvinism is shown to be false teaching then all five points of Calvinism fall as well. Again, there is at least some form of this original sin doctrine that is taught in nearly every mainstream church. But, the doctrine of total depravity, as far as I know, is only taught in Calvinism and Reformed Theology churches. Whereas the doctrine of original sin is taught in almost every church denomination in some form or to some degree. First, I would like to point out that I do agree that there is a “FORCE” or INFLUENCE that compels mankind to sin. However, I do NOT maintain that this force is our “NATURE” that we are born with or that we have somehow INHERITED from Adam, because of Adam and Eve's FIRST or ORIGINAL sin. But rather I believe that the whole word of God teaches us that this FORCE or this compulsion to sin and rebel against God comes from outside of our being as opposed to being our very own NATURE. In other words, I believe that Satan the devil is the force, compulsion, or influence that first deceives us to sin, which then becomes a temptation for us to sin. Now I do agree that it is true that over time we can develop being more comfortable and even come to have a desirable nature to sin, but we are NOT born with this desire to sin as having INHERITED these fleshly desires or “nature” to sin. The truth of the matter is that we LEARN to refuse the evil and choose the good. Bad behavior is learned the same as good behavior is learned as you will clearly see after you have read the whole matter on this subject of why we sin. One can develop a HABIT of doing good the same as one can develop a HABIT of sinning. Basically, the doctrine of original sin states that ALL of mankind has INHERITED a SIN NATURE. In other words, according to the doctrine of original sin, BECAUSE of the ORIGINAL SIN of Adam and Eve, who DISOBEYED God by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, then ALL of mankind from Adam to this present day have supposedly INHERITED this so-called SINFUL NATURE that causes them to sin. And some churches such as Calvinism and Reformed Theology take this teaching of original sin that all of mankind are supposedly BORN with or have supposedly inherited a SINFUL NATURE to the extreme. And thus, they falsely teach that ALL of mankind is SO TOTALLY and COMPLETELY DEPRAVED that it is impossible for any person to even think about SEEKING after God and turn away from committing sin UNLESS they happen to be ONE of the ELECT. For you see, Calvinism and Reformed Theology teach that a person MUST FIRST be REGENERATED by the Holy Spirit and drawn by the Holy Spirit so that they can understand the word of God enough in order to be saved. And some even take this doctrine of original sin and the doctrine of total depravity to a point where they teach that because of this so-called sinful NATURE then we are FORCED beyond any control of our own to sin. In other words, this false doctrine of original sin has led some Christians to incorrectly believe that they are sinners and that sinning is part of who we are as human beings because after all does not the church teach that it is our NATURE to SIN? This is the same lie Satan used to BLAME God for creating him with a “nature” to rebel against God, to take over his throne. Please read the study Q-1. UNDERSTANDING WHY? That study answers the question of why God even created mankind in the first place. But for now, let us continue with this study. From the very moment that you accepted Jesus as your savior you were created to be a NEW creature in Christ Jesus. That OLD-man progressed to become corrupted throughout our life, and that old corrupted nature has passed away. So then, whatever so-called NATURE you had before you became a Christian is NOW in the PAST and you have a NEW nature. You are a NEW CREATURE created by God in Jesus Christ. Again, this does not mean that the enemy will leave you alone and never bring up your past sins which grew in your heart to become the deep DESIRES or lust of your heart within you and that these old desires that you once indulged in before Jesus came into your life. But at the same time, I want to make it clear that just because you or I may sometimes be plagued with the DESIRE to sin does NOT mean that it is our NATURE to sin. No dear children of God, these desires grew inside of you over time and it will take time for you to put off that old man of the flesh. You were NOT born with these desires, nor did you somehow INHERIT these sinful desires from Adam. The NEW creature is the INNER you, your HEART, which is the new creation. Now you no longer desire from the HEART to continue to do those things which became habits to you over time. And the one who INFLUENCES you to go against your God-given conscience is the ENEMY of God and your enemy as well called the Devil and Satan. The main point that I am endeavoring to get across to you at this point in this study of God's word is that you are NOT being FORCED to sin because it is your so-called NATURE to SIN. The doctrine of total depravity teaches that humans cannot help but SIN, because it is our NATURE to sin. But I say to you that the Bible ITSELF teaches us that sin is a LEARNED process of behavior. Please read where Jesus himself LEARNED to refuse the evil and chose the good. Isaiah 7:14-16. “Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15. Butter and honey shall he eat, THAT (Or so that) he may KNOW to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that you abhor shall be forsaken of both her kings.”
Hebrews 5:7-9 teaches us that Jesus LEARNED obedience by the things he suffered. Jesus suffered TEMPTATION like all men. So then what or WHO tempted Jesus? Was it his SINFUL NATURE or was it simply the DEVIL just like the word of truth clearly teaches us? Hebrews 5:7-9. “Who in the days of his FLESH, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8. Though he were a Son, yet LEARNED he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9. And being made perfect (By NOT giving in to the TEMPTATION of the enemy to sin through the Eternal Spirit dwelling IN him), he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” You see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, many controversies among the different denominations in the church today can be cleared up if Christians will take the time to listen and make the effort to try and understand the reason why other Christians DIFFER with what they believe. I suppose that many of you by now have honed in on the fact that I strongly disagree with the usage of the word “NATURE” to describe this outside “FORCE” or influence that compels mankind to sin. One of the reasons that I strongly dislike this word used in the context of mankind being BORN or INHERITING a SINFUL nature is that to me this word “nature” means that it is who we are and that there is no way to CHANGE our NATURE. If it is the NATURE of a lion to kill and eat, then the lion is going to kill and eat. But we know from God's word that this is NOT the God-given nature of the lion, because in the world to come the lion will eat grass like the ox. In other words, Satan has PERVERTED the true nature of the lion. The same is true with mankind. You see dear children of God, man has a conscience, which teaches us to know good from evil in our MIND or by the THOUGHTS in our MIND, and it is Satan the enemy of God that PERVERTS our minds to rebel against the conscience that God gave to us. Now in truth, it was a CONSCIENCE that we inherited because of Adam's sin to disobey the ONE law of God given to him to NOT eat of the tree of KNOWLEDGE to KNOW good from evil. Before Adam disobeyed God's one commandment, both Adam and Eve had NO knowledge of what sin was. They were naked and did not KNOW that they were naked before Adam sinned. It was AFTER Adam sinned that they became conscious of being CONDEMNED and they hid their nakedness from God. The law of God itself does not bring condemnation, but rather it is the disobedience of the law that brings CONDEMNATION to man's CONSCIENCE. Under the Old Testament, the sin consciousness was in the MIND, and under the NEW covenant, being made a NEW creature in Jesus Christ, the sin conscious is written upon our HEARTS. So there is a warring or battle between our MIND and our NEW HEART. Now, the difference to ME seems to be that over time the mind becomes weak because little by little sin is reasoned away and it became easier and easier to excuse sin. But NOW being a NEW creature, the consciousness of our HEART will not allow us to sin. We simply do NOT want to sin. Not that it is impossible to sin. But rather, the CONDEMNATION against sin in our new HEART will not leave us unless we harden our OWN heart. The first time that we sinned, the fight in our minds was strong. This fight was strong even to the point that many times we overcame this warring in our minds to do what we knew, by our CONSCIENCE. For you see, we inherited a CONSCIENCE because of Adam's sin to know right from wrong. Our own nature then BECAME corrupt and sinful over time a little at a time. Each time we gave in to these temptations to sin, then sinning became easier and even desirable in some cases. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that we are NOT BORN with a sinful NATURE, but rather we developed this sinful nature to desire sin over time and sin began to dwell in us? Another reason why I strongly dislike the usage of the word “nature” in this teaching of this doctrine of original sin is that many Christians are falsely taught that we are BORN or somehow have INHERITED this so-called “nature” to SIN, in that, due to this false teaching, I have heard and seen many Christians give up their fight against SIN and become complacent in their walk with God, giving up all hope of overcoming sin in their life. They have been so brainwashed to believe that they are SINNERS and have an inherited “SIN NATURE” that caused them to sin from birth and thus they WRONGLY believe that they are born to sin. No person is born as a sinner. The teaching of original sin is the invention of the Roman Catholic Church. This man-made doctrine consequently made innocent babies guilty of sin and destruction in the lake of fire if they died. So the Roman Catholic Church invented another false doctrine of infant baptism to save any baby who gets baptized. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, how just little leaven or false teaching such as being told over and over again that we are SINNERS saved by grace and that it is our NATURE to SIN, can bring to ruin a dear child of God? Again please do not misunderstand what I am saying. Of course, we WERE ONCE all sinners, but this does NOT mean that we are still SINNERS and that it is our NATURE to sin, so get used to SINNING! Some of us have come to the knowledge of the truth that we have been truly forgiven of all our past sins, that we have been made a NEW creature in Christ Jesus, and that sin has NO more dominion over us. But yet other Christians are still being taught the lie that they are SINNERS and that it is their NATURE to SIN. And it is all because of this FALSE doctrine of original sin. And even worse, there are some Christians who are falsely being taught that Jesus did NOT die for ALL of mankind. Rather, they are being wrongly taught that God specifically chose certain individuals to be saved and ONLY those certain select individual people can be saved. They are also wrongly being taught that God specifically chose other individuals to be eternally destroyed in the lake of fire and that there is absolutely nothing any of us can do to change from one group to the other. In other words, some Christians are falsely being taught that if you are one of the unlucky ones that God has supposedly chosen to be eternally destroyed, then there is nothing you can do to change your predestined state to be lost. And part of their false doctrine is based upon the FALSE doctrine of original sin which they developed into the false doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY being dogmatically taught by strict five-point Calvinistic and Reformed Theology Christians. So then, let us begin this study in God's word to learn more about how, when and why this false doctrine of original sin came to be so that these other FALSE teachings can be pulled down as well. First let me begin by saying that some Christians have been deceived into believing that this doctrine of original sin has always existed in the church from day one, but this is not the case. You can do the research yourself and you will find that the teaching of original sin did not come into the church until around the third century and was not fully developed until around the fifth century. Also, I would like to point out that the false doctrine of infant baptism did not come into the church until after this false teaching of inheriting Adam's sin that all of mankind are BORN with the GUILT of this original sin, as in, being born guilty before God to receive the wages of sin, which is death. I myself do not spend a lot of time on church history in the Bible studies that I write, because in some cases it is just a matter of how one views these historical facts that determine their conclusion of how they believe. I suppose it is the same with the Bible, but I myself have spent far more time and effort reading the Bible than I have reading church history. However, at times all Christians should know that not all church doctrines are soundly taught from the Bible itself. But rather, all FALSE doctrines developed over many centuries by the theories of good, sincere, and godly men who depended more on philosophy than the word of truth. Anyway, the verses quoted from the Bible that are used to try and support this DOCTRINE of ORIGINAL SIN are, in my opinion, taken OUT of CONTEXT and have therefore been MISUNDERSTOOD not only by those, who teach this false doctrine but also by those who are being taught this false doctrine. In other words, the Scriptures have been twisted either intentionally or unintentionally and have been made to say something that the WHOLE word of Almighty God clearly does NOT teach. So then, let us begin this section of our study in God's word with the focus upon the doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY by looking at the passage of Scripture in Romans chapter 5, which is probably the most widely recognized passage of Scripture that is used to teach that all of mankind has INHERITED a SINFUL NATURE and therefore is falsely concluded by those who teach the doctrine of total depravity that all mankind is TOTALLY UNABLE to live without sinning. Please keep in mind that some Christians have been deceived by these false teachings and have been misled to believe that EVEN after becoming a Christian or being regenerated by the Holy Spirit they are still destined to SIN, because they have supposedly been BORN with a SINFUL NATURE, supposedly because of the original sin of Adam. But this is NOT what the whole word of God teaches us. Please read Romans 5:8-21, which teaches us that because of Adam's sin, that SIN has entered into the world. And that because ALL of mankind has SINNED, then DEATH has passed upon ALL men, because of their OWN SINS that they themselves have committed at some point in their life. The Bible clearly teaches us that we ALL have SINNED and therefore have fallen short of the glory that God has prepared for us. But this does NOT mean that we all were BORN with this condition or nature of falling short of the glory of God. In other words, this following passage of Scripture does NOT teach us that we have INHERITED a SINFUL NATURE because of Adam's original sin. As you read this passage of Scripture please notice that it says SIN has entered the world and that DEATH has PASSED upon all men, and NOT that a SINFUL NATURE has been passed on to, or has been INHERITED by all men at birth.
Romans 5:8-21.
“But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Now IF SO BE, that mankind inherited a NATURE to SIN, and it was our OWN HUMAN NATURE that caused us to sin, then Christians should NOT sin nor have any desires or TEMPTATION to sin because we have been made NEW creatures in Jesus Christ. But this is NOT the case, is it dear children of God? We are still TEMPTED to sin not by a so-called inherited sinful NATURE. But rather, we are tempted by Satan the Devil to sin. The OLD lust of the FLESH still remains with Christians after they are born again BY the word of God through hearing the preaching of the gospel and believing the word of truth. Our own lust of the flesh grew over time by repeatedly giving in to sin, disobeying our CONSCIENCE. Gentiles were not given the Law of Moses, but yet some Gentiles not even knowing the written law kept the law of God by obeying their inherited CONSCIENCE. Please read Romans 2:12-15. “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their CONSCIENCE also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;” This means PRIDE entered in to BOAST of their own good works of righteousness and JUDGE others inferior to themselves) 9. Much more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved BY his life. (Here in this verse we see that we were reconciled first by being forgiven of all our PAST sins by the DEATH of God's SON Jesus. This is step one of BEING SAVED, as in, being placed back into a right relationship with God. Step two the receiving the END of our salvation, which is eternal life in the world to come is accomplished by our OBEDIENCE to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament following the leading of the Holy Spirit dwelling IN us. Please read the study F-2. Is ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED BIBLICAL?) 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (So long as we REMAIN IN Jesus Christ are sins forgiven and all our unrighteousness is being cleansed as we obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ who walk NOT after the flesh, but who walk AFTER the SPIRIT. Romans 8:1) 12. Wherefore, as by ONE man (Speaking of the one man Adam) SIN entered into the world, and DEATH by sin; and so DEATH passed upon all men, (WHY? Why is DEATH passed upon ALL of mankind?) FOR (Or BECAUSE) that all have SINNED: (NOT because that all of mankind have INHERITED a SINFUL NATURE, but rather that all of mankind have SINNED at one time or other in their life that their own sin has caused them to become guilty of the wage of sin, which is DEATH. And the only way to escape this sentence of DEATH is through the blood atonement of Jesus, the Son of Almighty God) 13. (For UNTIL the LAW sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14. Nevertheless (Or none the less before the law came) death reigned (Or ruled and had DOMINION over mankind) from Adam to Moses, even OVER them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (In other words, this FORCE, this INFLUENCE that compels and tempts mankind to sin has entered into the world to rule and reign and have DOMINION over mankind, because of Adam and Eve's first or original sin of disobedience to God's command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It is not that all of mankind somehow INHERITED a sinful NATURE that compels us to sin, but rather that we all are TEMPTED and compelled by the author of sin, that old dragon, called Satan and the Devil. Now some will argue that Satan was already in the world because he tempted Adam and Eve to sin. Yes, this is true, but Satan was not yet ruling and reigning over mankind as the god of this present world bringing them into bondage and having DOMINION over them to accuse them before God and to OPPRESS them with sickness and disease. I myself am convinced that because Satan's neck was at stake that he “cheated” by deceiving Eve to eat of the forbidden tree who then gave Adam to eat. Now some have asked if Adam had not sinned, then would the rest of mankind have not sinned either? To this, I say NO, because Satan would not have given up until he caused some humans to sin. Please read the study Q-1. UNDERSTANDING WHY? In that study you will learn why God created man a little LOWER or inferior to the angels. Once you see that mankind is a test to prove that God is NOT to blame for Lucifer's sin of rebellion against God to draw one-third of God's HIGHER and superior creation of the angels to make war with God to take over his throne. And because we now SUFFER at the hands of God's enemy, we who OVERCOME will be exalted above the angels to judge the fallen angels) 15. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one, many are dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many. (So again, this FORCE, this INFLUENCE that compels mankind to sin has entered into the world to rule and reign and have DOMINION over mankind, because of Adam and Eve's first or original sin of disobedience to God's command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But the FOCUS should be on the MUCH MORE part that Jesus has set us FREE from this DOMINION of sin that ONCE kept us in bondage to sin) 16. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. 17. For if by one man's offense DEATH reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18. Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to CONDEMNATION (In other words, mankind inherited a CONSCIENCE and became aware of good and evil, because of Adam and Eve's sin of disobedience to eat of the tree of KNOWLEDGE or the knowing between good and evil); even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Now IF it was true that ALL of mankind was AUTOMATICALLY made to be a sinner from the very moment that we are BORN as some falsely teach, then it would ALSO be EQUALLY true that ALL of mankind is AUTOMATICALLY saved and therefore does not need to repent of their sins and believe that Jesus died for their sins, because the very same verse says that by ONE man speaking of Jesus that many are MADE righteous. In other words, IF the first part of this verse is to be interpreted to mean that many means ALL of mankind are MADE to be SINNERS, in that, ALL of mankind has AUTOMATICALLY INHERITED a so-called SINFUL NATURE that compels them to sin, then the second half of this verse must equally be true and therefore must be interpreted to mean that many in the last part of this same verse also means ALL of mankind is MADE or ALL of mankind AUTOMATICALLY INHERITS the gift of righteousness and eternal life. But we know without a doubt from other Scriptures that this is definitely NOT what the Bible teaches us. Therefore, it is NOT Scriptural to INTERPRET the first part of this verse the very opposite way that the last part is interpreted) 20. Moreover, the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21. That as sin has reigned unto death, even so (Or in much the same way) might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In other words, Paul is teaching us here to let the grace and power of God RULE and REIGN in our lives to OVERCOME this INFLUENCE that is in the world that is trying to compel us to sin. Now those that teach the doctrine of original sin, that all of mankind has INHERITED a SINFUL NATURE and are therefore born guilty before God, usually take verse 12 out of context and teach that because of this ORIGINAL sin of Adam that SIN has actually entered into the HEART of EVERY human being who has ever been born. And when asked the question of WHEN does a person actually INHERIT this so-called sinful NATURE most every answer is the very moment that a person is BORN. In other words, they take the first part of verse 12 OUT of CONTEXT that says.
Romans 5:12.
“Wherefore, as by ONE man (Again, speaking of the one man Adam) SIN entered the WORLD...”
And then they falsely teach that this means that BECAUSE of this ONE man Adam, ORIGINAL SIN, a SINFUL NATURE, has entered into every man's HEART the very moment that they are BORN. In other words, this doctrine of original sin teaches that each and every person who has been born since the time that Adam and Eve first disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden tree of knowledge, which has come to be called original sin. Then because of this original sin every person ever born has supposedly been BORN with a NATURE that is SINFUL from the very moment that they are BORN. And that all of mankind since Adam has been BORN not only with a NATURE that drives mankind to sin but also every person who has ever been born has also INHERITED the guilt and penalty of death of this ORIGINAL SIN that Adam and Eve committed even though no other human being has ever eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. To say this another way, the doctrine of original sin teaches that EVEN a newborn baby, who has had no chance of doing anything either good or evil is BORN GUILTY before Almighty God BECAUSE they are supposedly literally BORN with the guilt and penalty of this original sin that was committed by this ONE man Adam. However, this is NOT at all what this passage of Scripture teaches us. Romans 5:12 clearly and plainly states that because of this one man Adam that SIN entered the WORLD and NOT that a SINFUL NATURE entered into the HEART of every MAN, WOMAN, and CHILD. To ME, it is perfectly clear that this verse means that SIN or more precisely the INFLUENCE of Satan to TEMPT mankind to SIN was allowed to enter into the WORLD as a test to show to all the angels of God, both the good angels who remained faithful to God and fallen angels that rebelled against God that Almighty God had created them ALL perfect from the day that they were created. For a deeper understanding of what I mean by this again please read the study entitled Q-1. UNDERSTANDING WHY? That study covers all of the Scriptures that led me to understand that Almighty God created mankind a little LOWER than the ANGELS in order to PROVE to His former creation, the ANGELS, that He did NOT create them with a NATURE to SIN and REBEL against Him. But rather, God created ALL His angels PERFECT in every way from the day that they were created. After you read this study of Q-1. UNDERSTANDING WHY you will know and understand WHY Almighty God has ALLOWED many things that are EVIL to remain in the earth and why bad or evil things happen to good people. But for now, let us continue with a close examination of Romans 5:12 to see what this verse actually teaches in the light of the whole word of God.
Romans 5:12.
“Wherefore, as by ONE man (Speaking of the one man Adam) SIN entered into the world, and DEATH by sin; and so DEATH passed upon all men, (WHY? Why did DEATH pass down upon ALL of mankind?) FOR (Or BECAUSE) that all have SINNED:”
This verse of Scripture ALONE clearly teaches us that we are sinners BECAUSE we have all SINNED and NOT because that all of mankind have INHERITED a so-called SINFUL NATURE. But rather we became sinners because all of mankind has SINNED at one time or another in their life. So then, it is SIN or rather it is the INFLUENCE of Satan that tempts mankind to SIN that had entered into the WORLD to rule and reign over mankind after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden. And then, because of man's choice to give in to these temptations to sin the penalty of DEATH was passed on to mankind and NOT that a SINFUL NATURE was supposedly passed on or inherited by mankind. You see, the lake of fire was created for the fallen angels and not for mankind, but because mankind made the choice to be overcome by the lying voice of influence of Satan, then God had no choice but to impose the penalty of death to mankind as well. The Scripture says, why has hell ENLARGED herself. The next part of this verse CLEARLY and PLAINLY states that BECAUSE all of mankind has SINNED that the penalty of DEATH has therefore PASSED upon ALL men. Read this part again.
Romans 5:12b.
“...and so DEATH passed upon all men, (WHY? Why did DEATH pass down upon ALL of mankind?) FOR (Or BECAUSE) that all have SINNED:”
It does NOT say because all of mankind have INHERITED a so-called SINFUL NATURE. But rather, it says that all of mankind has SINNED at one time or other in their life as being the REASON that DEATH is the wage of sin. The last part of this verse says, “AND SO” or so then, or that is to say, therefore, it is for this very reason of SIN that the penalty of DEATH has PASSED upon ALL of mankind, BECAUSE of the very reason that at one time or another ALL of mankind has SINNED at one time in their life and if any man or woman says that they have NOT EVER sinned, then the truth is not in them. They are filled with PRIDE which is the sin that caused the fall of Lucifer before mankind was ever created. In truth, God CONCLUDED ALL of mankind to be under sin, because of PRIDE, so HE could save us to eliminate BOASTING.
Please read Galatians 3:22.
“But the Scripture has CONCLUDED all under sin, THAT the promise by FAITH of Jesus Christ might be given to them that BELIEVE.”
And WHY did God CONCLUDE all of mankind to be under sin?
Please read Romans 11:29-36.
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30. For as you in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32. For God has CONCLUDED them all in unbelief, THAT (Or so THAT or IN ORDER THAT) HE might have mercy upon all. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! 34. For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? 35. Or who has first given to Him (God loved us WHILE we were yet sinners), and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
God chose us IN be in HIM by being IN His SON Jesus to be saved before the foundation of the world. God knew that His enemy Satan would influence a man to sin in order to save his own neck from being destroyed on the spot. So God needed to keep His plan of salvation a SECRET hid from His enemy. For if Satan had known that killing God's Son would prove that all God creates is perfect the day they were created, then he would not have crucified the Lord of glory. And thus, God did NOT create Lucifer to rebel. But rather, the sin of PRIDE grew in Lucifer and he sinned because of his own pride. Now, when the Bible speaks of death it can mean a natural death and it can mean a spiritual death, Natural death in the physical death of our BODY. And spiritual death is a separation from God because of SIN. In other words, because all men have SINNED at one time or another in their life, then BECAUSE of their SIN which they themselves have committed, they are now SPIRITUALLY SEPARATED or spiritually DEAD from Almighty God. Please read Isaiah 59:1,2 which clearly teaches us that God is willing and able to hear our prayers, but because of the SIN which we ourselves have committed, we are SEPARATED from God.
Isaiah 59:1,2.
“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2. BUT your iniquities have SEPARATED between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, that He will not hear.”
Please notice that the word of God does NOT say that because of the ORIGINAL SIN of that ONE man Adam that you are SEPARATED from God. But rather, it plainly states that because of YOUR own sins you have separated yourself from God. It is clearly NOT God's hand that is shortened that He cannot save you. Nor is it God's ear that is dull so that He cannot hear your prayer. In other words, you can TURN from your sin at any time and call upon God and He will HEAR your prayer and SAVE you. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, that Almighty God has ORDAINED it to be a CHOICE before all of mankind to CHOOSE for themselves WHOM they will serve and obey? Whether it be that you choose to OBEY that voice of temptation from Satan to SIN that is your OWN choice of your own will to choose. And, therefore, a person’s OWN choice to sin is what brings the penalty of DEATH upon a person by their OWN doing. And the same is true whether it be that YOU YOURSELF make the CHOICE to OBEY God's voice and TURN from your sinning and trust in God's grace to overcome the temptation to sin in your life. Please read Deuteronomy 30:19, which teaches us that Almighty God has ordained or has set before us LIFE or DEATH, but it is up to us to CHOOSE. God desires us to choose LIFE, but nonetheless it is OUR OWN choice to make. And by LIFE and DEATH set before us means ETERNAL lie and what the Bible calls the SECOND death, which is to be cast into the lake of fire on the final Day of Judgment. So God is BEGGING us to choose eternal life. For you see God takes no please in the death of the wicked. And thus, His WILL is that men will be saved, but the CHOICE to be saved or to die the second death is up to each individual person.
Deuteronomy 30:19.
“I (Almighty God) call heaven and earth to RECORD this day against you, that I (Almighty God) have SET before YOU life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, (Or for this reason) CHOOSE life, that both you and your seed may live:”
The context of this passage of Scripture is all about TURNING from SIN and OBEYING the commandments of Almighty God in order that we may LIVE. You see the word live here means that you will NOT be SEPARATED from God as long as you OBEY what he says in his word. But yet according to the FALSE doctrine of original sin and the FALSE doctrine of TOTAL DEPRAVITY all of mankind is SEPARATED from Almighty God the very moment that they are BORN. For you see, according to these false doctrines of men ALL of mankind are supposedly BORN as SINNERS and therefore guilty before God the moment we are born. In other words, these false doctrines incorrectly teach that each and every person ever born has INHERITED the SIN of our father Adam.
SECTION TWO
IS THE DOCTRINE OF TOTAL DEPRAVITY BIBLICAL?
However, the whole word of God clearly teaches us that the SINS of the father are NOT passed upon the sons and daughters. In other words, the original SIN of our forefather Adam is NOT PASSED upon us as many of us have been FALSELY taught. Please read Deuteronomy 24:16, which teaches us that each individual will receive the wages of DEATH for his or her OWN sin and that the SIN of the father is NOT passed upon the son or daughter.
Deuteronomy 24:16.
“The fathers shall NOT be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his OWN sin.”
So how can anyone teach that ALL of mankind INHERITED this so-called ORIGINAL SIN from our forefather Adam? No! Many thousands of times NO! Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, that you did NOT INHERIT the original sin of Adam your forefather, NOR did you INHERIT a so-called SINFUL NATURE that makes you SIN. It is NOT your NATURE to SIN, nor did you inherit the guilt or penalty of your forefather Adam's sin. The word of God is very clear on this matter that every man will bear the penalty of his or her OWN sin and NOT the sin of their fathers. Please read Ezekiel 18:20,21, which clearly teaches us that each man and woman shall bear the penalty of death for their OWN sins which they themselves have committed and that NO man will so-called INHERIT the penalty of death because of the sin of the father.
Ezekiel 18:20,21.
“The soul that SINS, it shall die. The son shall NOT bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21. But if the wicked will TURN from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die,”
Now some of you may be thinking, “Well what about where we read in God's word in Exodus 20:5, which plainly states that God shall VISIT the INIQUITIES of the FATHER upon the CHILDREN to the third and fourth generations”.
Exodus 20:5.
“You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, VISITING the iniquity (Or SIN) of the fathers UPON the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
Again, those who try and use verses of Scripture such as this one have NOT considered the CONTEXT from which they are taken. Please notice that this verse PLAINLY states that God will visit the iniquity or sin of the father upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of THEM or those children who HATE God. You see, if you keep this verse in the CONTEXT of where it is found and read the very next verse you will clearly see that those who use such verses are trying to make them say something that they are NOT truly saying. Please read some more CONTEXT found in the very next verse.
Exodus 20:6.
“AND showing MERCY unto thousands of THEM that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.”
In other words, IF and ONLY IF the children of the father who sinned against God do NOT consider the ways of their father and continue to HATE God as their father did by SINNING against God, THEN and only then will Almighty God VISIT the iniquities of the father upon the CHILDREN. However, the word of God goes on to say that Almighty God with show MERCY to THOUSANDS of THEM, speaking of the CHILDREN whose father had SINNED against God, but they themselves did NOT follow in the footsteps of their father in HATRED toward God. But rather, they LOVED God by KEEPING His commandments. Some Christians may not realize that devils tend to stay where they are NOT being RESISTED. In other words, the same devils may stay among a particular family for many generations, because these families do not know their authority in Jesus Christ. God's word teaches us that God's people are being destroyed for lack of knowledge. So you see it is not that mankind has a sinful nature. But rather, some Christians are not aware that they have been made overcomers by the blood of Jesus and have been given authority to resist these devils in the name of Jesus and the devils will flee from them. This is why some Christians still want to argue that Romans 5:19 clearly says that by Adam's sin ALL of mankind were MADE SINNERS before God.
Romans 5:19.
“For as by ONE man's DISOBEDIENCE many were MADE sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Well, as I stated earlier, if one is to DEMAND that this verse means that the SIN of this ONE man Adam is AUTOMATICALLY PASSED upon ALL of mankind and that no man has any say in the matter, then one must without fail also DEMAND that the second half of this very SAME verse of Scripture means that the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the ONE man Jesus Christ is AUTOMATICALLY PASSED upon ALL of mankind without any man having any say in the matter. This, of course, would mean that ALL of mankind will be saved, which the WHOLE word of Almighty God CLEARLY does NOT teach. This FALSE teaching that ALL of mankind will be saved is called “Universalism”, which I will address in another study that I have entitled Bb-1. Is Universalism SOUND Biblical Teaching? But for now, I just wanted to make the point that we must be CONSISTENT when we INTERPRET what a particular Scripture means. Therefore, those who teach the doctrine of original sin and the doctrine of total depravity cannot demand that the first half must, without fail, mean that the original SIN of Adam is automatically INHERITED by ALL of mankind. And, therefore, ALL of mankind are MADE SINNERS because of this so-called INHERITED SIN of Adam that supposedly causes us to have a SINFUL NATURE that MAKES us SO TOTALLY DEPRAVED that we cannot and will not seek God or make any attempt to turn from our sin UNTIL we are FIRST born again or REGENERATED by the Holy Spirit. For you see, if so be that the first half means that all of mankind has automatically received a SINFUL NATURE then the last half of that same verse means that ALL of mankind are automatically made righteous. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, that to DEMAND that because of Adam's sin that all of mankind automatically INHERITS the penalty of DEATH is NOT what the Bible ITSELF teaches us? But rather, it is the FALSE doctrines of original sin and total depravity that WRONGLY teach that ALL of mankind has INHERITED the sin of our forefather Adam. Can you not see that they only use HALF of that verse of Scripture? In other words, to WRONGLY teach that Romans 5:9 means that ALL men automatically inherit death is ALSO to wrongly DEMAND that ALL of mankind AUTOMATICALLY INHERITS the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Jesus Christ. That verse simply means that the first Adam FAILED the TEST and the last Adam PASSED the TEST. So no! Many thousands of times NO! This is NOT what this verse is teaching us. No man is AUTOMATICALLY MADE or FORCED to be a SINNER. The TRUTH of the matter is that the WAGES of SIN, which is DEATH that has PASSED upon ALL men, BECAUSE all of mankind at one time or another LISTENED and OBEYED the INFLUENCE of Satan's TEMPTATION and SINNED of their OWN free CHOICE. Once again the word of God plainly states that it is DEATH that has passed upon all men BECAUSE all men have SINNED. Some of you may still have doubts about this matter and might be saying something like, “Well what about Psalm 51:5, which clearly says that we are BORN in SIN and that we are SINNERS from the very moment we are BORN.”
Psalm 51:5.
“Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
Now, those that teach these FALSE doctrines of original sin and total depravity INTERPRET this verse to mean that David was teaching us that we are ALL formed in the WOMB with a SINFUL NATURE and that the moment we are BORN we are therefore considered by Almighty God to be SINNERS. First of all this verse does NOT say, “Behold, ALL of mankind was shaped in iniquity, and in sin were they all conceived in their mother's womb.” In other words, it is David alone who is saying that he himself was conceived in sin. Now I have heard some Bible scholars say that this verse actually means that David was born out of an adulterous relationship. I myself have not done any further research on this particular interpretation, but it does make sense if it is proven to be true that David was conceived in an adulterous relationship. But the question at hand is this, does this verse TRULY teach us that ALL of mankind are BORN with a SINFUL NATURE and the GUILT of Adam's original sin? To truly understand what the WHOLE word of God teaches and to properly INTERPRET the Scriptures we must follow certain rules of interpretation. One of these rules of interpretation is to keep the verse in question in the CONTEXT of where it is found. Another rule of interpretation is that we must consider what type or style of writing the writer is using. For example, the book of Psalms is primarily written in a POETIC style of writing where not EVERY single word of phrase is to be taken LITERALLY. In others words, David is merely expressing his remorse to God for the SIN that he himself has committed against God and is expounding on his feeling that it is as if he was sinning against God from the time that he was born, or it seems as if he had sinned against God from his mother's womb. Let's read this verse in its context first to get a clearer picture of what is going on in David's life at this particular time. Please read Psalm 51:1-13, which clearly teaches us that NOT every single word and phrase can be INTERPRETED LITERALLY.
Psalm 51:1-13.
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving-kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out MY transgression (Or the sins that I MYSELF have committed against you O God) 2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from MY sin. 3. For I acknowledge MY transgressions: and MY sin is ever before me. 4. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge. 5. Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Now to ME, it is clear that David is TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for his OWN sin in verse 4 and is NOT BLAMING God for SHAPING him in iniquity and in sin in verse 5 as some FALSELY teach) 6. Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part, you shall make me to know wisdom. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the BONES which you have broken may REJOICE. (Now are we to INTERPRET this verse LITERALLY and DEMAND that Almighty God LITERALLY BROKE the BONES of David and that BONES in and of themselves have the ability to REJOICE? NO, absolutely not! David is simple using POETIC language and is EXPRESSING that it SEEMS as if his bones have been broken. David is simple using poetic language to describe how he FEELS in this verse the SAME way that David is describing how he FEELS in verse 5 of this same Psalm) 9. Hide your face from MY sins, and blot out all MY iniquities. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and RENEW a right spirit within me. 11. Cast me not away from your presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12. RESTORE unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit 13. Then will I TEACH transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.”
So then, clearly this verse is teaching us that SINNERS shall be converted to righteousness simply by David TEACHING these sinners about God and NOT that a TOTALLY DEPRAVED sinner must be born again or REGENERATED by the Holy Spirit FIRST before they can UNDERSTAND the word of God enough to be RESTORED to the joy of their salvation. Another method that is used to properly interpret the word of God is to compare Scripture with Scripture. So then, let us compare this time in David's life when he was expressing to God his deep remorse for sinning against God and how it felt to David that he had been sinning against God from the time he was born to another time in David's life where he is PRAISING Almighty God of how he is fearfully and WONDERFULLY made. Please read Psalm 139:13,14, which teaches us that David knew right well that Almighty God covered him in his mother's womb and that he was fearfully and wonderfully made or formed in his mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13,14.
“For you have possessed my reins: you (Almighty God) have covered me in my mother's womb. 14. I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and THAT (Speaking of the FACT that mankind is FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY MADE, and THAT) my soul KNOWS RIGHT WELL.”
Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, that these two verses spoken by the same man David seem to be speaking directly OPPOSITE of each other particularly when one DEMANDS that Psalm 51:5 be INTERPRETED to mean that ALL of mankind is FORMED or made in the womb with a SINFUL NATURE. I mean THINK about this for a moment and let it sink in. How can the same man be supposedly saying that he was conceived with a SINFUL NATURE in one Psalm and then turn around and say that he knows right well that he was fearfully and wonderfully made? This makes no logical sense whatsoever to me. So, therefore, in the light of the whole word of Almighty God, I must conclude that it is the INTERPRETATION given by some men that Psalm 51:5 means that all of mankind is born with a sinful nature is NOT a correct interpretation. Another verse of Scripture that is used by those that teach this DOCTRINE of TOTAL DEPRAVITY or TOTAL INABILITY is Psalm 58:3, which SEEMS to say that all of mankind are SINNERS from the moment they are BORN.
Psalm 58:3.
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they GO ASTRAY as soon as they are born, speaking lies.”
Those that teach the doctrines of original sin and total depravity teach that this verse is saying that as SOON as a person is born they start SINNING. And some use the illustration of little children throwing a tantrum or disobeying their parents and say something like, “Now you are not going to tell me that any parent would deliberately teach their children to disobey them and to do bad things! So HOW can you explain such behavior if it were not so that we all were born with a SINFUL NATURE that compels us to sin?” Now on the surface, these types of arguments seem to support these false teachings, but when they are looked at more closely they can be explained in many ways. First of all, do not lean to your own understanding or reasoning to base your faith upon, but rather use the word of God. The word of God teaches us in Isaiah 7:14-16 where it is prophesying about Jesus being a young child LEARNING how to REFUSE evil and CHOOSE the good. The Bible ITSELF teaches us that even Jesus himself needed to LEARN obedience and that he became obedient even to death on the cross in Philippians. But this does not mean that Jesus was BORN with a sinful and disobedient NATURE. Nor does it mean that ALL of mankind was born with a sinful and disobedient NATURE. Let us take a closer look at Psalm 58:3 to see if this verse truly means that all of mankind are BORN as SINNERS and begin SINNING the moment we are BORN or estranged from the womb as some falsely teach. Well, here again, we need to take under consideration that this is POETIC language and it only SEEMS as if mankind begins sinning as soon as they are born because a newborn baby cannot speak as soon as they are born, and it is certain that they cannot speak LIES as soon as they are born because they have not yet learned to refuse the evil and choose the good the moment that they are born. Also, notice that this verse says that the WICKED goes astray, which teaches us that the children of the wicked LEARN and mimic their parents at a very young age and therefore are more likely to GO ASTRAY and follow the sinful examples set forth by their parents. And the third point I want to make is the phrase “THEY GO ASTRAY”, which emphatically states that in order to GO ASTRAY one must FIRST be in RIGHTEOUSNESS or in right standing with Almighty God BEFORE that person could GO ASTRAY or go away from being righteous. Therefore, ALL of mankind must, without fail, be BORN in a righteous and innocent state before God and NOT with a so-called SINFUL NATURE and the GUILT of Adam's sin as the doctrine of original sin falsely teaches. And most certainly we are NOT born so totally depraved that we are totally unable to do good until we are born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit as Calvinism and reformed theology falsely teaches. Another point that those who teach the doctrines of original sin and total depravity, is that they wrongly claim that the Bible teaches that all of mankind is completely wicked CONTINUALLY, and they use such Scriptures as Genesis 6:5.
Genesis 6:5.
“And GOD saw that the WICKEDNESS of man was GREAT in the earth, and that EVERY imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil CONTINUALLY.”
Again, this verse is taken OUT of CONTEXT and is incorrectly being applied to or wrongly INTERPRETED to mean ALL of mankind throughout every generation has a heart that is ONLY evil CONTINUALLY. However, the context teaches us that God was speaking of in the DAYS of NOAH that mankind that lived in this point in history had corrupted themselves so much that it repented God that he ever made man on the earth. Now if it were true that this passage of Scripture truly means ALL of mankind were BORN wicked, then how is it that Noah was a RIGHTEOUS person who found grace in the eyes of Almighty God? And how is it even possible for mankind to CORRUPT themselves IF it is true that they were BORN in a WICKED state, which would consequently mean that they were, therefore, WICKED already from birth or from the very moment that they were born. You see, in order for something or someone to be CORRUPTED, then that something or someone MUST without fail had to be in a NON-CORRUPTED state BEFORE it or they BECAME CORRUPTED. The very meaning of this word corrupt or corrupted demands that mankind was FIRST in a NON-CORRUPTED or PERFECT state BEFORE they then BECAME in this UNNATURAL state of being CORRUPTED by listening to the deceiving voice of the enemy Satan the devil. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, that to be BORN with a SINFUL NATURE would mean that it would be against the very NATURE in which God created us to be? Almighty God did NOT create mankind to be SINNERS and CORRUPT in NATURE before him. Nor were we born or inherited a sinful nature because of Adam's original sin. Please read Genesis 6:1-8, which clearly teaches us that NOT all of mankind BECAME CORRUPTED before God because Noah was found to be PERFECT in his generations and therefore found GRACE in the eyes of God. There is no way that this doctrine of original sin and total depravity can be true that ALL of mankind has inherited a sinful nature and that our nature is so depraved that it is impossible to walk in righteousness before God until we are first regenerated by the Holy Spirit because this would consequently mean that Noah would also have been CORRUPT before Almighty God as well.
Genesis 6:1-9.
“And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2. That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. 4. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repents me that I have made them. 8. But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD. 9. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a JUST man and PERFECT in his generations, and Noah WALKED WITH God.”
Then in Genesis 6:12 we read were mankind had CORRUPTED HIS WAY upon the earth, which clearly teaches us that it was by man's OWN CHOICE that each individual person made for themselves that caused them to BECOME CORRUPT in the eyes of God, and NOT because they were born corrupt or totally depraved.
Genesis 6:12.
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had CORRUPTED HIS WAY upon the earth.”
Another point that I would like to make is that because mankind had become so wicked in the days of Noah that God decided that he would destroy man and beast from the earth except for Noah and his family. Now if it was true that ALL of mankind were BORN with a SINFUL NATURE and were SO TOTALLY DEPRAVED that it was impossible for man to seek after God, and it REPENTED and GRIEVED God for even making man upon the earth, then WHY would Almighty God even try to start over with mankind knowing that Noah and his family all had an EVIL SINFUL NATURE and could in no way do that which is right before God. The TRUTH of the matter is that Noah did NOT have an EVIL heart CONTINUALLY before Almighty God, because the word of TRUTH clearly teaches us that Noah was a JUST man that WALKED WITH God and who was PERFECT in his generations and therefore found GRACE in the eyes of God. Now the question has been raised, Does Noah being PERFECT mean that he lived a SINLESS life? Then the question was answered by the same one who asked the question, probably NOT, because Jesus is the ONLY one who lived a SINLESS life? First of all, I agree that Jesus was the only man that lived WITHOUT SIN his ENTIRE life, to this fact, there is no doubt. But does this mean that NO man EXCEPT Jesus can walk in righteousness and be considered PERFECT before the eyes of God? Next, we all need to be on the SAME page, so to speak and come to a common understanding of what the word PERFECT means in the Bible. So then, what does the Bible have to say about being PERFECT? First of all, let us take a look at the BIBLICAL definition of the word “PERFECT” from Strong's exhaustive concordance. In Genesis 6 the word “PERFECT” is the Hebrew word “TAMIN”. And it means without defect, blameless, without blemish, upright, without spot and undefiled. We know that in the New Testament that being without spot and without blemish is speaking of being without SIN. So the question is, was Noah being PERFECT mean that Noah was WITHOUT SIN? YES, or God would not have said so. Keep in mind the DEFINITION of the word PERFECT. But does God say that Noah was PERFECT or WITHOUT SIN mean without a doubt that Noah lived his ENTIRE LIFE without every committing even ONE SINGLE sin? NO! Absolutely NOT! Noah may have lived his entire life without sinning up to that point in time, but after the flood Noah got DRUNK. So then, is a person getting drunk a SIN? For ME, getting drunk “habitually” is a sin. In other words, if a person gives into the desire of their flesh to get drunk then it is a sin. One or two drinks is not a sin. But the Bible clearly teaches NOT to be DRUNK with wine. So again, the Bible does NOT forbid the drinking of wine. Clearly, the Bible teaches us that NO DRUNKARD will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Please read the study called F-7. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE ITSELF CALL SIN? So then, let me ask you a question, When you came to the Lord and repented of all your sins and asked God to forgive you of your sins and you were made a NEW creature in Christ Jesus, did you not at that point in time become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God? So then, at that point in time when Jesus forgave you of ALL your past sins, YOU were made PERFECT at that very moment! So, absolutely YES, I believe we can be perfect before Almighty God! Of course, you were made PERFECT at the moment you repented and confessed your sins, because if you say that you were not made perfect, then you are saying that you were not forgiven of ALL your past sins. Please let me assure you that YOU were indeed at that moment in time made PERFECT and WITHOUT SIN in your life. You see, every time you sin you are no longer without spot or blemish, but EVERY time you repent and CONFESS your sins Almighty God is FAITHFUL and just to FORGIVE you of ALL your sins and in HIS EYES YOU ARE PERFECT. The working of God in you is to make you PERFECT, that is to say, God commands us to be PERFECT EVEN as he is PERFECT. Is God WITHOUT SIN? Absolutely! So then, be you WITHOUT SIN EVEN as God is WITHOUT SIN. Does this mean you will NEVER sin again in this life? Probably not and at the beginning most likely not, but this does NOT mean that you have to give up and continually confess yourself to be a SINNER. NO! Many a thousand times NO! You are a NEW creature CREATED unto GOOD WORKS, sin has NO MORE DOMINION over YOU. It is a process to LEARN how to refuse the evil and choose the good. Resist the devil and he will flee from you because GREATER is he that now lives within you than he that is in the world. In other words, you have been made more than a conqueror through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you. You have been made free from sin and you are no longer a servant or slave to sin. For a deeper understanding of being PERFECT, please read the study F-12. How YOU can live YOUR LIFE FREE from SIN! But for now, let us continue this study on the FALSE teaching of original sin and all of mankind INHERITING a so-called sinful NATURE. Another question was asked, If we do not have a sinful NATURE, then WHY do we SIN? A very good question indeed. The thing that I want to point out is that IF we as Christians continually place the BLAME on a so-called SINFUL NATURE that we supposedly have somehow inherited from Adam, then the Devil will continue to overcome you, time and time again. And you will be like Paul was at one point in his life and believe you are a wretched creature that is DESTINED to SIN. You see, what some preachers do not teach you is that Paul did NOT STOP there in chapter 7 of Romans, but went on to write Romans chapter 8, where we are given his ANSWER to OVERCOMING sin, which is to OBEY the leading of the Holy Spirit ONE step at a time. Yes, Paul said that there is warring within us and that which we do not want to do sometimes we give in and do and that which we know to be the right thing to do sometimes we listen to the voice speaking to us and do not do what the voice of the Holy Spirit is leading us to do. But this does NOT mean that the wrongs that we CHOOSE are the very NATURE that we are born with or have inherited from Adam. So then, to ME, after studying this subject of original sin, I have clearly come to see that there are TWO INFLUENCES in the world. God, of course, influences the lives of mankind through his written word, through the prophets, through the teachers of God's word, through the pastors who warn us about sin, through our fellow brothers and sisters who encourage us to remain faithful, through his Holy Spirit that leads and guides us into all truth and brings to our remembrance the things that he has taught us along the way, and even though God's creation we are influenced to see and know that there is a divine intelligence that has created all things. The other INFLUENCE is the god of this world, Satan, the Devil. Now NEITHER INFLUENCE FORCES anyone to do GOOD, NOR forces anyone to do EVIL. But rather, both of these INFLUENCES work through the mind by bringing thoughts to a person. The more you think about something the more you will be INFLUENCED by your thinking and what thoughts you are dwelling upon. Some Christians believe that even if you THINK a bad thought, then you have SINNED. This is simply NOT true. They try and use the words of Jesus that LOOKING upon another woman to lust after her in your heart you have committed adultery ALREADY in your heart. But if this is taken to mean every THOUGHT is SIN, then HOW could Jesus have lived a SINLESS life, because the Bible says that Jesus was TEMPTED in ALL points as WE ARE tempted. No my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, the TEMPTATION is not a sin. It is only when we give in to these temptations or INFLUENCES coming from Satan that we fall into sin. What Jesus was teaching us when he said that those who LUST after a woman have already committed adultery in their HEART in that what was put into our hearts will eventually be brought forth into our lives IF we continue to dwell on what is in our HEART. In other words, if the treasure of our HEART is GOOD, then we will bring forth GOOD things. But on the other hand, IF the treasure of our heart is EVIL and filled with continual thoughts of LUSTING after another woman, then sooner or later that evil will be brought forth and manifested in our lives. Now for me personally, the ONLY WAY that I have ever been TEMPTED has been in THOUGHT. In other words, these THOUGHTS come to my mind that TEMPTS me to do that which I know is wrong. We all know from God's word that it is wrong to LUST after another woman. To desire this other woman sexually and these THOUGHTS come to our mind from the enemy of God, Satan the devil. The TEMPTATION itself is NOT sinning. The danger comes when we continue to dwell on these thoughts or temptations of the devil and we allow these temptations to enter into our hearts where they become central thoughts that we focus upon and continually ponder until they are made a reality in our lives. The TRUTH of the matter is that the THOUGHTS that come into your mind INITIALLY to do GOOD are from God and the THOUGHTS that come into your mind INITIALLY to do EVIL are from Satan. These INITIAL thoughts do not become YOUR thoughts until you CONTINUE to think upon them and RECEIVE them. And even then these thoughts do not become SIN until they CONTROL your being. When a man LUSTS after a woman or a woman LUSTS after a man there is a PHYSICAL change in the human body and if left unchecked this LUSTING will lead to SIN. This is what Jesus meant when he said he who LUSTS after another woman in his HEART, which as I said before begins with a look or a thought that is left unchecked. You see, it is EASIER to NOT SIN if you STOP that thought process when it FIRST begins. This is what Jesus is teaching us. You see IF a mere THOUGHT is a SIN then there is NO WAY that Jesus was ever TEMPTED because all TEMPTATIONS are THOUGHTS. So IF thoughts are SIN, then JESUS did NOT live WITHOUT SIN, because Jesus was TEMPTED in every point LIKE as we are TEMPTED. Do you see what I am saying? It is only when we CONTINUE to think on these thoughts from the enemy, that we know are wrong, that we become in danger of following through with this initial thought or this initial TEMPTATION. So again the easiest way to overcome temptation is to walk away quickly when it first comes knocking at your door. Now science has discovered that REPEATED thoughts create a pathway through the mind, and the more we THINK on these same thoughts this pathway becomes faster and faster like a dirt footpath becoming an expressway. This is why addictions are so hard to overcome. One has to RENEW their MIND with NEW THOUGHTS. Think about THESE THINGS says the word of God. So then, we need to hide God's word in our hearts so that we will NOT SIN against him. I agree that a person's NATURE can BECOME corrupt and SINFUL by becoming a habit, but I definitely do NOT believe that every single human being ever born automatically INHERITS a sinful NATURE at BIRTH. IF this were true then EVERY baby who dies would go to hell because babies do not have the capacity to comprehend the gospel to accept Jesus as their savior and be saved. Those who truly believe in the doctrine of original sin must also believe in INFANT baptism because to believe in the doctrine of original sin is to also believe that all babies are born with a sinful nature and the GUILT of Adams' original sin. Well, some may argue and say something like, “Well I do not believe in infant baptism because the children of “Christian” parents are sanctified and under the cover and protection of God.” Now it is true that Christian parents can and do dedicate their children before the Lord and COMMIT the KEEPING of their children unto the Lord, but again this is NOT an AUTOMATIC thing that just happens just because you become a Christian. And those who understand God's word do not commit their children before the Lord, because they believe that their children are GUILTY before God due to Adam's sin, but rather because they know that God is an ever-present help when they as parents cannot always be there when the enemy comes to tempt and oppress their children. They know that God will never leave and forsake that which has been committed unto him to keep unto the coming day of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then once again, I do not deny that there is definitely an EVIL INFLUENCE in the world which INFLUENCES mankind to SIN, but again I do NOT believe it is our OWN NATURE that we are BORN with that influences us to sin. Again anyone's nature can become CORRUPTED by this evil INFLUENCE if they continue to LISTEN to its LIES and DECEPTIONS. Now again the DANGER of believing that you have a sinful NATURE is that the Devil will LIE to you that you can NEVER stop sinning. I have heard testimonies of some Calvinist who testify that they sin hundreds of times every day and I have to ask myself the question, have they ever truly committed themselves to God? I mean for ME, personally, the moment I gave my life to Jesus I developed a hatred for sin. The things I used to do I no longer wanted to do. And ONE sin at a time, God worked IN me to overcome each sin. You might say, well then did you yourself not have a sin NATURE because you used to WANT to sin. NO, because I sat down I thought back as to HOW I got where I was and it was a journey that was gradual over time. And that slow process eventually brought me to the place where I ignored my conscience more and more until it became easier and easier to sin. But thanks be to God that little by little I started doing things that a small still voice inside of me kept saying NO, don't listen to that voice telling you to do those things, you know that they are wrong. Eventually, this voice of the Holy Spirit led me to repentance and a life walking with God. But this other voice kept hounding me over and over even after I became a Christian until I gave in to it and kept sinning even though my NEW inner man no longer desired to continue sinning. So absolutely there is a WARRING within us even after we become Christians, but again this does NOT mean that this warring is our sinful NATURE, because even Jesus himself had this warring against TEMPTATION. The Bible clearly states that Jesus was tempted BY the DEVIL and NOT by his SO-CALLED sinful NATURE. IF being tempted means that we are born with a nature to sin then Adam and Eve were CREATED with a sinful NATURE, because they also LISTENED to this lying and deceiving voice that kept telling them to do that which they KNEW was against what God had commanded them not to do. Remember and keep in mind that the doctrines of original sin and total depravity teach that ALL of mankind from Adam to this very day are ALL BORN with a wicked and SINFUL NATURE and the doctrine of total depravity goes on to the extreme to teach that ALL of mankind is SO TOTALLY DEPRAVED that NO man could possibly do that which is right in the eyes of God, UNTIL they are born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit. In other words, both of these doctrines of men falsely teach that ALL of mankind from Adam to this very day are SINNERS from the moment they are BORN. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord that these doctrines are FALSE teachings that do NOT agree with what the WHOLE word of Almighty God teaches us? Can you not see that IF these doctrines were true, then there would be absolutely not even ONE RIGHTEOUS person from Adam to Jesus because EVERY person would have been BORN with this so-called “WICKED and SINFUL NATURE” that caused them to SIN CONTINUALLY before God. But the TRUTH of the matter is that the word of TRUTH teaches us that there were, in fact, RIGHTEOUS men before God from Adam to Jesus. The Holy Bible teaches us that ABEL was a RIGHTEOUS man before God. Please read Matthew 23:35, where Jesus himself teaches us that there were many RIGHTEOUS men from ABEL in the days of Adam to ZACHARIAS in the days of Jesus.
Matthew 23:35.
“That upon you may come all the RIGHTEOUS blood shed upon the earth, FROM the blood of RIGHTEOUS Abel UNTO the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.”
We also read in Hebrews chapter 11 not only about Abel being righteous before God but about many other RIGHTEOUS men, such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, and many others. But for now, I want to focus upon Cain and Abel, where one made the CHOICE to obey God and do that which was right or RIGHTEOUS before God and the other one made the CHOICE NOT to OBEY God and OVERCOME the enemy that was tempting him to murder his brother. First, we will read Hebrews 11:4, then we will go back to Genesis chapter 3.
Hebrews 11:4.
“By faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was RIGHTEOUS, God testifying of his gifts: and by it, he being dead yet speaks.”
So then, here in this verse, we can plainly see that BY the WORKS that Abel did he obtained the witness that he was RIGHTEOUS before God. Whereas in Genesis 4:3-8 we see that Cain did NOT DO that righteous WORK that his brother Abel did and therefore God was NOT pleased with Cain’s WORK or deed of sacrifice that he made.
Genesis 4:3-8.
“And in the process of time, it came to pass, that Cain brought from the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4. And Abel, he also brought from the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5. But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7. If you DO WELL, (In other words, if you DO that which is RIGHT as your brother Abel has done) shall you not be ACCEPTED? And if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And unto you shall be his desire, and YOU SHALL RULE OVER him. (In other words, Almighty God EXPECTED Cain to RULE OVER this TEMPTATION to KILL his brother Abel out of jealousy) 8. And Cain talked with Abel, his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.”
This passage of Scripture alone should prove beyond any shadow of a doubt for those seeking the TRUTH that mankind is NOT BORN with a SINFUL NATURE because of Adam's sin. And, therefore, we are NOT SO TOTALLY DEPRAVED that we are rendered TOTALLY UNABLE to do that which is RIGHT or RIGHTEOUS before Almighty God UNTIL we are born again or REGENERATED by the Holy Spirit as Calvinism and Reformed Theology FALSELY teaches. The WHOLE word of God clearly teaches us that Abel made the CHOICE to do that which is RIGHT before God and Cain made the CHOICE NOT to do that which is RIGHT before God and therefore was brought under FURTHER TEMPTATION, which he was told DIRECTLY from Almighty God that HE HIMSELF was to RULE OVER this one who was TEMPTING him. To ME, this leaves no doubt that mankind has always been given the CHOICE to WHOM we are going to serve, whether we be OBEDIENT to God unto RIGHTEOUSNESS, or whether we make the CHOICE to LISTEN to Satan's INFLUENCE to DISOBEY God and serve SIN unto death. I want you to read Genesis 4:7 from several different translations so that you get the full impact of what Almighty God is teaching us in his word of TRUTH. Here is this verse from the New International Version (NIV).
Genesis 4:7 from the New International Version.
“If YOU DO what is RIGHT, will you not be ACCEPTED? But if you DO NOT what is RIGHT, sin is crouching at your door; it (Speaking of SIN or more precisely SATAN who has ENTERED into the world as God’s enemy and our enemy) desires to have you, but YOU must MASTER it.”
Or YOU must be MASTER over SIN and Satan and NOT let Satan's temptation master or overcome you. Again it is perfectly clear to ME that Almighty God is WARNING Cain and us as well that we have a CHOICE in the matter and IF we make the CHOICE to DO that which is RIGHT, then we will be ACCEPTED of God, and if we make the CHOICE to simply LET the INFLUENCE or TEMPTATION of Satan RULE over us, then we will SIN and do that which is NOT right before God. Can you not see that SIN or the INFLUENCE of Satan is what entered into the world? And then the Bible plainly states that it is DEATH that was PASSED upon men BY the result of each individual man making the CHOICE to obey the INFLUENCE of Satan and do that which is NOT right before God, and NOT that ALL of mankind automatically INHERITED a so-called SINFUL NATURE that made it impossible for any man to do that which is RIGHT before God. The TRUTH of the matter is DEATH was passed upon all men BECAUSE all men at one time or another made a CHOICE to GIVE INTO the INFLUENCE of Satan's TEMPTATION and SINNED, and NOT because all men inherited the guilt of Adam's sin and therefore are made worthy of death.
Please read Romans 5:12 one more time.
“Wherefore, as by one man SIN entered into the WORLD, and death BY sin; and so DEATH passed upon all men, (WHY? Why does DEATH or SEPARATION from God come or pass upon all men?) FOR (Or BECAUSE) that ALL have SINNED:”
The REASON that death or spiritual separation from God is passed upon ALL men is that every single human being EXCEPT for Jesus, the Son of Almighty God, has made the CHOICE to give into the INFLUENCE of Satan's temptation and they have SINNED of their OWN FREE WILL. Nowhere in the Bible do I myself find that ALL of mankind has INHERITED a so-called SINFUL NATURE that causes us to SIN. It was SATAN who was allowed to enter into the world and continue to tempt the rest of mankind throughout the history of mankind. The TRUTH of the matter is that what causes us to sin is the INFLUENCE and DECEPTION of Satan. The Bible teaches us that it is UNNATURAL for man to SIN. Man is NOT born with NATURE to SIN. It is NOT NATURAL for man to SIN. Therefore mankind does NOT have a SINFUL NATURE. Let me PROVE this to you once and for all time. Please read Romans 1:18-32, which PLAINLY and CLEARLY teaches us that it is AGAINST our NATURE to SIN, therefore PROVING that we are NOT BORN with a SINFUL NATURE as some FALSELY teach.
Romans 1:18:32.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (WHY?) 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest (Or made KNOWN) IN THEM; for God has shown it unto them. (God shows us that which is right from wrong through the CONSCIOUS which we INHERITED because of Adam's original sin) 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE: 21. Because that, when they KNEW God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Or the heart BECAME darkened). 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they BECAME FOOLS, 23. And CHANGED the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts (Which they themselves CHOSE to have darkened), to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who CHANGED the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature MORE than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (By making the CHOICE to obey the INFLUENCE of Satan rather than the word of God) 26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did CHANGE the NATURAL use into that which is against NATURE: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the NATURAL use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28. And even as they did not like to RETAIN God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29. Being FILLED with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31. Without understanding, covenant-breakers, WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION, implacable, unmerciful: (Now, if so be we were BORN with a sinful NATURE then our NATURAL affection would be to sin. But the Scriptures say that those who are living in sin are WITHOUT NATURAL affection. In other words, it is NOT our NATURE to sin. It is NOT NATURAL to sin!) 32. Who KNOWING the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them.”
In other words, ALL these SINS mentioned here are the result of being WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION and doing that which is AGAINST our very NATURE to do. To ME, this passage of Scripture PROVES without a doubt that SIN is AGAINST the very NATURE in which Almighty God created us and therefore proves that we are NOT BORN with a SINFUL NATURE as some FALSELY teach. Now some of you may say that I am trying to twist the Scriptures to include all sin as an UNNATURAL act of mankind and it is ONLY the SIN of HOMOSEXUALITY that is AGAINST the NATURE of mankind to commit. Well to ME, even if ONE sin is AGAINST the NATURE of mankind to commit, then this would prove that mankind is not BORN with this so-called SINFUL NATURE, because God's word CLEARLY states that it is UNNATURAL or against the very NATURE of man to lie with another man and a woman to lie with another woman. And if we break just ONE point of the law, then the WHOLE law is transgressed. Also, another question still needs to be asked, if Paul was ONLY speaking about the ONE SIN of HOMOSEXUALITY, then WHY did Paul bother to list all these other sins and say that those who do such things are WITHOUT NATURAL affection? Any person can BECOME so corrupt that God gives them over to a reprobate mind and they become without their NATURAL affection against sin. To me, there is no doubt that this is what Paul was speaking about here. Please read the studies called F-23. CAN A CHRISTIAN BE A HOMOSEXUAL?, and F-24. Is GOD ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL? The Bible teaches that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses to let everything be established. So then, let us take a close look at Romans 2:5-15, which teaches us that the GENTILES who were considered SINNERS by the Jews KEPT the law of God by their NATURE with which they were BORN.
Romans 2:5-15.
“But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasuring up unto YOURSELF wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6. Who will render to EVERY man according to his deeds: 7. To THEM who by patient CONTINUANCE in WELL DOING seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8. But unto THEM that are CONTENTIOUS, and do NOT OBEY the truth, but obey unrighteousness, (Or obey the INFLUENCE of Satan and make the CHOICE to give in to his temptation and SIN) indignation and wrath, 9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10. But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11. For there is no respect of persons with God. 12. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13. (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the DOERS of the law shall be justified. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have NOT the law, do BY NATURE the things contained in the law, THESE (Speaking of ALL of mankind, but more particularly here as being GENTILES, who are BORN with a NATURE to do that which is RIGHT, because we ALL have a CONSCIENCE that bears witness to us of right and wrong, THESE) having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;”
You see even though we ALL are BORN with a CONSCIENCE that bears witness to our hearts that which is right or wrong, we also have been given the freedom to CHOOSE which of the two INFLUENCES that are in the world that we are going to OBEY and, therefore, we all, at times, make EXCUSES and try to REASON away the INFLUENCE which we decide to follow or not follow. My point is this, The Bible ITSELF clearly teaches us that SOME of these GENTILES who BY their own NATURE in which they were BORN with made the CHOICE to OBEY the LAW of Almighty God and do that which was RIGHT before God. And they obey the law of God without ever having been given the WRITTEN COMMANDMENT of God which they could read BECAUSE they and we are ALL BORN with the NATURE to know what is right and what is wrong. And it is our NATURE at first to follow that which is RIGHT. However, because SIN or more precisely because the INFLUENCE of Satan, who TEMPTS us to SIN has ENTERED into the world or was ALLOWED to remain in the world. Then ALL of mankind at one time or another has either been DECEIVED by the deceitfulness of sin or has simply GIVEN INTO the INFLUENCE of Satan and has SINNED. Therefore DEATH has PASSED upon ALL of mankind BECAUSE ALL men have SINNED by their OWN FREE WILL at one time or another.
SIMPLY put, NO man or woman has been BORN with a SINFUL NATURE!
Now some of you may still not be convinced of this Biblical TRUTH and DEMAND that the Bible clearly teaches that there is NOT ONE person who is RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE! Well lets us take a CLOSER look at what the WHOLE word of Almighty God has to say about these verses that SEEM to say that there is NOT ONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE. Please read Romans 3:9, which teaches us that we are ALL under SIN, both Jew, and Gentile.
Romans 3:9.
“What then? Are we better than them? No, in no wise: for we have before PROVED both Jews and Gentiles, that they are ALL UNDER SIN;”
Now why Paul goes on in the following verses taking them OUT of CONTEXT to show further that ALL of mankind is UNDER SIN I have no clue. I myself see the NEW TESTAMENT as letters and teachings that were written by men who were indeed inspired by God to write them, but not necessarily every single word being a THUS SAYS THE LORD. What I mean by this is that there are places in the New Testament when Paul comes right out and plainly states that he is speaking as a MAN, which to ME, says that not every single word Paul says is inspired by God. In other words, I personally believe that there are times Paul puts in his own opinion. There are preachers today that take verses OUT of CONTEXT to MAKE a POINT and I personally believe that this is what Paul is doing here in Romans 3:9-18 to MAKE the POINT that ALL HAVE SINNED and therefore ALL of mankind have FALLEN SHORT of the glory of Almighty God and THUS NEEDS a SAVIOR.
Romans 3:9-18.
“What then? Are we better than them? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are ALL UNDER SIN; (Then Paul goes on to try and FURTHER prove this truth, which he already said that he PROVED before. Anyway, Paul goes on to say) 10. As it is WRITTEN, There is NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE (So then, WHERE is it WRITTEN that there is NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE? Let us read through the entire list of Scriptures that Paul QUOTES before we go to the Old Testament and read them in their CONTEXT): 11. There is NONE that understands, there is NONE that seeks after God. 12. They are ALL gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE that does good, NO, NOT ONE. 13. Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15. Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16. Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17. And the way of peace have they not known: 18. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Now, in verses 10, 11, and 12, the Apostle Paul is quoting from Psalm 14, which clearly is NOT speaking about ALL of mankind, but RATHER it is speaking of or prophesying of the FOOL that says there is NO God in the last days. And in verse 3 of Psalm 14, it says that they are GONE aside and they are all together BECOME filthy which means that they had to be CLEAN before they BECAME filthy. In fact, some of them became SO filthy they no longer believed in God at all to become the FOOL who says there is NO God. But in Romans chapter 3, Paul is teaching us about the Jews AND the Gentiles being CONCLUDED by God to ALL be under sin so that we can be saved by GRACE through faith in His Son Jesus and NOT by the works of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES, according to Ephesians 2:15 which is the CONTEXT of Ephesians 2:8-10. Paul is correcting the Judaizing Christians to show them that THEY have GONE OUT of the WAY speaking of the ONLY way to the Father. My point right now is that you have to BE in the WAY of the true gospel of Jesus Christ BEFORE you can go aside OUT of the WAY.
Please read Psalm 14:1-5, which says.
“The FOOL has said in HIS heart, There is NO God. THEY (Speaking of those who FOOLISHLY say in THEIR heart that there is NO God. THEY) are corrupt, THEY have done abominable works, there is NONE (Of THEM, the understood subject of who is being talked about, which is the FOOL that says there is NO God. There is NONE of THEM) that does good. 2. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. (A prophecy of the last days when the wickedness is come to full once more in the earth) 3. THEY (Again, speaking of the FOOL who says there is NO God in the last days, THEY) are all gone aside, THEY are all together BECOME filthy: there is NONE (Of THEM, again, the understood subject referring to the FOOLS in the last days that says there is NO God. There is NONE of THEM) that does good, NO, NOT ONE. (Of THEM, speaking again of the FOOL in the last days when wickedness has come to completion, which is the understood subject throughout this entire Psalm) 4. Have all the WORKERS of INIQUITY no knowledge? Who eats up MY PEOPLE (Thus proving that there are GODLY and RIGHTEOUS people of God on the earth that are being killed by these WICKED people who say in THEIR heart that there is NO God. It is THESE workers of INIQUITY who eat up God’s people) as THEY eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5. There were THEY (Speaking of the FOOL in the last days that says in his heart that there is NO God and who work iniquity including the killing of the RIGHTEOUS people of God. It is THEY, the FOOL that shall be) in great fear: (WHY? Why shall these FOOLS who say that there is NO God who persecutes the people of God FEAR in the last days when Jesus comes to execute the WRATH of Almighty God?) FOR (Or because) God is in the generation of the RIGHTEOUS.”
This again PROVES that Paul took these verses OUT of CONTEXT either intentionally or unintentionally. But nonetheless, by NOT keeping them IN the CONTEXT they have led many to be MISLED into believing that Paul was speaking of ALL of mankind when he quoted Psalm 14 saying that there is NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE. The TRUTH of the matter is that none of these verses Paul quoted in Romans 3:12-18 are speaking of ALL of mankind as many FALSELY teach. But RATHER they are all speaking of the WICKED at the end of the age when God shall judge the wicked because NONE of the WICKED will seek after God, and NONE of the WICKED will TURN from THEIR wicked way. In other words, the FULLNESS of the Gentiles will have come in and be completed when God will look upon the children of men and see for himself that NONE of the WICKED will SEEK after God no matter how much the gospel is preached. Please read Psalm 14:7, the last verse in this short chapter from the Wycliffe translation that prophesies of the last days WHEN the DELIVERER shall come out of Zion to set Israel free from the nations that are warring against her at the battle of Armageddon.
Psalm 14:7 from the Wycliffe Translation.
“Who shall give from Zion health to Israel? WHEN the Lord has turned away the captivity of his people; Jacob shall fully be joyful. Jacob shall (Make) full out joy, and Israel shall be glad.”
Who shall give victory? Who shall give salvation, or deliverance, to Israel out of Zion? WHEN the Lord has RETURNED the prosperity of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice; yea, Israel shall be glad. Now the first part of verse 13 in Romans chapter 3 Paul is quoting from Psalm 5. Lets us read the first part of Romans 3:13 again before we read Psalm 5:9 in its entire CONTEXT.
Romans 3:13a.
“THEIR throat is an open sepulcher; with THEIR tongues THEY have used deceit...”
So then, WHO is the THEIR and the THEY speaking of here? Is the THEY and the THEIR referring to ALL of mankind as many of us have been TAUGHT? Well let us see by taking a CLOSE look at Psalm 5:9, which is the verse that Paul is quoting, but let us examine it in its CONTEXT by reading the entire Psalm 5:1-12, which CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaches us that Paul is quoting about the LAST DAYS and that there are RIGHTEOUS people of God on the earth in these last days who are PRAYING this Psalm about the WICKED to be DESTROYED, because THEY, the WICKED are killing the RIGHTEOUS.
Psalm 5:1-12.
“Give ear to MY words, O LORD, consider MY meditation. 2. Hearken unto the voice of MY cry, MY King, and MY God: for unto you will I pray. 3. MY voice shall you hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct MY prayer unto you, and will look up. 4. For thou are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you. 5. The FOOLISH (Speaking of the FOOLISH wicked people who say that there is NO God and who work iniquity) shall NOT stand in your sight: you hate all WORKERS of INIQUITY. 6. You shall DESTROY THEM that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. 7. BUT as for ME, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercy: and in your fear will I worship toward your holy temple. 8. Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before MY face. 9. For (Or because) there is NO faithfulness in THEIR mouth; THEIR inward part is very wickedness; THEIR throat is an open sepulcher; THEY flatter with THEIR tongue. 10. DESTROY you THEM, O God; let THEM fall by THEIR own counsels; cast THEM out in the multitude of THEIR transgressions; for THEY have rebelled against you. 11. BUT let all those that put their TRUST in you rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because you defend them: let them also that love your name be joyful in you. 12. For you, LORD, will bless the RIGHTEOUS; with favor will you compass him (The RIGHTEOUS) as with a shield.”
CLEARLY, verse 9, which Paul is quoting in the first half of Romans 3:13, is speaking of the WICKED in the LAST DAYS, when the RIGHTEOUS are praying to God to DESTROY THEM because there is NONE of the WICKED that are SEEKING after God, NO, NOT ONE. In the last half of verse 13 in Romans, Paul is quoting from Psalm 140:3. Again, let us read the last half of Romans 3:13 before we read the entire CONTEXT of Psalm 140:3, which again is NOT speaking of ALL of mankind as many of us have been FALSELY taught.
Romans 3:13b.
“...the poison of asps is under their lips:”
Now here is Psalm 140:3 left in its ENTIRE CONTEXT, Psalm 140:1-13, which again CLEARLY is speaking of the LAST DAYS when the WICKED are CONTINUALLY making WAR against Israel.
Psalm 140:1-13.
“Deliver ME (Speaking of the RIGHTEOUS in the LAST DAYS), O LORD, from the EVIL MAN: preserve ME from the VIOLENT MAN; 2. Which imagine mischief in THEIR heart; continually are THEY gathered together for WAR. 3. THEY have sharpened THEIR tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under THEIR lips. Selah. 4. Keep ME, O LORD, from the hands of the WICKED; preserve ME from the VIOLENT MAN; who have purposed to overthrow MY goings. 5. The PROUD have hidden a snare for ME, and cords; THEY have spread a net by the wayside; THEY have set gins (Or SNARES, or traps) for me. Selah. 6. I said unto the LORD, You are MY God: hear the voice of MY supplications, O LORD. 7. O GOD the Lord, the strength of MY salvation, You have covered MY head in the DAY of BATTLE. 8. Grant NOT, O LORD, the desires of the WICKED: further NOT HIS WICKED device; lest THEY exalt themselves. Selah. 9. As for the head of those that compass ME about, let the mischief of THEIR own lips cover THEM. 10. Let burning coals fall upon THEM: let THEM be cast into the FIRE; into deep pits, that THEY rise not up again. 11. Let not an EVIL speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow HIM. 12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor. 13. Surely the RIGHTEOUS shall give thanks unto your name: the UPRIGHT shall dwell in your presence.”
Again, CLEARLY the CONTEXT is speaking of the WICKED and VIOLENT men in the LAST DAYS in the DAY of BATTLE when the WICKED shall make WAR against God's RIGHTEOUS people the Jews and the Christians. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that Paul has either intentionally or unintentionally taken these verses OUT of their CONTEXT when he quoted them in Romans 3:12-18 and thereby many have been MISLED into believing that Paul was speaking about ALL of mankind when he said that there are NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE who SEEKS after God. Again, I have no clue as to WHY Paul took all these verses OUT of their CONTEXT. I can only suppose that he was trying to make a point that ALL of mankind had SINNED at one time or another, and therefore, ALL of mankind had fallen short of the glory of God and were considered to be UNDER SIN. And THEREFORE, we are all in NEED of a SAVIOR. But innocent babies and young children are NOT held accountable until God Himself holds them accountable. In Romans 3:14 Paul is quoting Psalm 10:7.
Let us read Romans 3:14.
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”
Now WHOSE mouth is this verse speaking of that is full of cursing and bitterness? Is it the mouth of every single person on the earth or ALL of mankind as many of us have wrongly been taught? Or is it the mouth of ONLY the WICKED in the LAST DAYS that Psalm 10:7 is speaking about? Let us keep this verse in its CONTEXT by reading the entire Psalm 10:1-18.
Psalm 10:1-18.
“Why stand you afar off, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself in TIMES of TROUBLE? (Speaking of the LAST DAYS right before Jesus comes to execute the WRATH of Almighty God upon the WICKED) 2. The WICKED in his pride does PERSECUTE the poor: let THEM (Speaking of the WICKED) be taken in the devices that THEY have imagined. 3. For the WICKED boasts of his heart's desire, (Which is to DOMINATE the world and kill all the Jews and the Christians) and blesses the covetous, whom the LORD abhors. 4. The WICKED, through the pride of his countenance, WILL NOT SEEK after God: (CLEARLY it is the WICKED that is NOT righteous, NO, NOT ONE wicked person in the last days will SEEK after God) God is NOT in all HIS thoughts. 5. HIS ways are always grievous; your judgments are far above out of HIS sight: as for all his enemies, he puffs at them. 6. HE has said in HIS heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 7. HIS mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (So then, it is clear that it is the MOUTH of the WICKED ONLY and NOT ALL of mankind that this verse is speaking about) 8. He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent (Speaking of the WICKED murdering the innocent Christians and the Jews): his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9. He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor when he draws him into his net. 10. He crouches, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11. He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. (In other words, there is NO God) 12. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand: forget not the humble. 13. Wherefore, does the wicked contemn (Or DESPISE) God? He has said in his heart, You will not require it. 14. You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: the poor commits himself unto you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 15. Break you the arm of the WICKED and the EVIL MAN: seek out his wickedness till you find none. (In other words, destroy every last one of the wicked Lord till there be no wicked person left) 16. The LORD is King forever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. (Speaking of the last days when Jesus shall be King of kings for 1000 years) 17. LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble: you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear: 18. To JUDGE the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may NO MORE OPPRESS.”
EVERY verse that Paul has quoted so far from the Old Testament has been taken OUT of CONTEXT and either intentionally or unintentionally has been quoted together in such a way as to lead one to believe that he is speaking of ALL of mankind when he says that NONE are RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE, and NONE SEEK after God. But the TRUTH of the matter is that these verses, when LEFT in the CONTEXT, are CLEARLY speaking of ONLY the WICKED in the LAST DAYS that are the ones who are NOT seeking God and that the wickedness of the wicked has gotten so bad that there will be NONE of the WICKED, in the last days, that will TURN from their wickedness, NO, NOT ONE. In other words, the wickedness has come to FULL, when NONE of the WICKED shall become RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE. In Romans 3:15 Paul is quoting Proverbs 1:16. Again let us read Romans 3:15 before we read where Paul quoted from in the Old Testament
Romans 3:15.
“THEIR feet are swift to shed blood:”
Again, whose are the “THEIR feet” that are swift to shed blood? Is it the feet of ALL of mankind that many of us have been taught? Or is it the feet of the WICKED ONLY? Let us read the Proverbs 1:10-16, which is the CONTEXT of Romans 3:15.
Proverbs 1:10-16.
“MY son, if SINNERS entice YOU, consent you not. 11. If THEY say, Come with US, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12. Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: 13. WE (Speaking of the SINNERS) shall find all precious substance, WE shall fill our houses with spoil: 14. Cast in YOUR lot among US; let us all have one purse: 15. MY son, walk NOT you in the way with THEM; refrain your foot from THEIR path: 16. For THEIR feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.”
So AGAIN, the “THEIR” here in Romans 3:15 is referring to ONLY the WICKED and NOT to ALL of mankind as many of us have FALSELY been taught by the doctrines of ORIGINAL SIN and TOTAL DEPRAVITY. Clearly the CONTEXT of Romans 3:12-18 reveals to us the TRUTH that there are many RIGHTEOUS ones in the earth at the same time that the WICKED has become so wicked that NONE of the WICKED, NO, NOT ONE SEEK after God in the LAST DAYS. In Romans 3:16,17 Paul is quoting Isaiah 59:7,8.
Here is what Romans 3:16,17 says.
“Destruction and misery are in THEIR ways: 17. And the way of peace have THEY not known:”
Now when I read Isaiah 59 I see again two groups of people, the WICKED and the RIGHTEOUS. But I also see ISRAEL as being in transgression against God and being heavily persecuted, but yet they do not cry out to God for judgment, but rather take matters into their own hands while all the while God wants them to call upon him. I also see in verse 15 that those who DEPART from WICKEDNESS make themselves a TARGET or PREY for the wicked to cut them down. The more I study about ISLAM and the LAST DAYS I am seeing Isaiah 59:15 being fulfilled today.
Isaiah 59:15.
“Yea, truth fails; and he that DEPARTS from EVIL MAKE HIMSELF PREY: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.”
In Romans 3:18 Paul is quoting Psalm 36:1. First read Romans verse 18, which says.
Romans 3:18.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Now please read Psalm 36:1 in its ENTIRE CONTEXT, which again is prophesying of the LAST DAYS, when the wickedness of the WICKED has come to full and the TIME of JUDGMENT has come. To ME, there is NO DOUBT that the “THEIR” throughout Romans 3:12-18 is speaking of ONLY the WICKED and NOT ALL of mankind as many of us have FALSELY been taught by the FALSE doctrines of ORIGINAL SIN and TOTAL DEPRAVITY. Here is Psalm 36:1-12, which clearly teaches us that the “THEIR”, who have NO FEAR of God before THEIR eyes, is speaking of the WICKED, the FOOL that says in his heart that there is NO God.
Psalm 36:1-12.
“The transgression of the WICKED says within my heart, that there is NO fear of God before HIS eyes. 2. For he flatters himself in his own eyes until his iniquity be found to be hateful (In other words, the WICKED have become SO WICKED and PRIDEFUL that THEY have become HATED. And thus, it GRIEVES and REPENTS God to have to DESTROY the WICKED once again) 3. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has LEFT OFF to be wise (PROVING that ALL of mankind are NOT BORN WICKED) and to do good. 4. He devises mischief upon his bed; he sets HIMSELF in a way that is not good; (Again PROVING that ALL of mankind do NOT INHERIT a SINFUL NATURE, but rather make the CHOICE to set THEMSELVES in the way that is evil) he abhors not evil. 5. Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. 6. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep: O LORD, you preserve man and beast. 7. How excellent is your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore, the CHILDREN of MEN put their TRUST under the shadow of your wings. 8. THEY (Speaking of ONLY those CHILDREN of MEN who TRUST in the Lord and who call upon the name of the Lord to be saved) shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures. 9. For with you is the fountain of life: in your light shall we see light. 10. O continue your loving kindness unto them that know you; and your righteousness to the UPRIGHT in heart. (Again, proving that not EVERY heart of mankind is evil continually as some FALSELY teach) 11. Let not the foot of pride come against ME, and let not the hand of the WICKED remove ME. 12. There are the WORKERS of INIQUITY fallen: THEY are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.”
This is a prophecy of the LAST DAYS when the judgment shall be executed upon the WICKED. Paul is not teaching in Romans chapter 3 that all of mankind is wicked and totally depraved. Paul is quoting these passages of Scripture from the Old Testament which clearly shows the RIGHTEOUS among the wicked. Paul is saying that not one more wicked person will be saved and it is time for Jesus to return. Now I have CLEARLY and PLAINLY shown that in EVERY single verse that Paul QUOTED from the Old Testament was TAKEN OUT of CONTEXT. And made to say something that the CONTEXT clearly does NOT say or teach, which has, consequently, lead many to FALSELY believe that Paul was teaching that ALL of mankind is WICKED and that there is NONE righteous, NO, NOT ONE who SEEKS after God. HOWEVER, the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God CLEARLY and PLAINLY reveals that these verses in Romans 3:12-18 are speaking of ONLY the WICKED in the LAST DAYS who are NOT SEEKING after God. And NONE of the WICKED, NO, NOT ONE WICKED person in the LAST DAYS will SEEK after God, NO, NOT ONE. UNTIL Jesus comes in the clouds of glory and power and then a REMNANT of the nations will CALL upon the Lord and be saved ALIVE to go into the 1000 year reign of Jesus in their MORTAL bodies to be taught of the Lord. For a deep understanding of this truth please read the study entitled J-4. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS! But for now, let us continue with this study in God’s word EXPOSING the FALSE teaching of Calvinism by closely examining the doctrines of Reformed Theology in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of God. Still, there may be some who believe and teach the doctrine of original sin and the doctrine of total depravity that will say that I am the one who is twisting the Scriptures because the Bible clearly says that the HEART of MAN is DESPERATELY WICKED. Then they will quote Jeremiah 17:9 which says.
Jeremiah 17:9.
“The HEART is DECEITFUL above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED: who can know it?”
But again, WHOSE heart is deceitful above all things? And WHOSE heart is desperately wicked? Is it the heart of EVERY single human being ever born in that every single human being is BORN with a desperately wicked heart that is deceitful above all things. OR is it ONLY the heart of those who have BECOME WICKED? In others words, is the CONTEXT of this verse speaking about EVERY heart of ALL of mankind, or is the TRUE meaning of this verse, LEFT in its CONTEXT, speaking about the WICKED HEART that is DECEITFUL above all things, and the HEART that has BECOME WICKED has now become DESPERATELY WICKED that WHO can truly KNOW it? Well, let us again read the CONTEXT to find out. Please read Jeremiah 17:1, 5-10, wherein verse 1, we read how the SIN of Judah is written upon the table of THEIR heart.
Jeremiah 17:1,5-10.
“1. The SIN of Judah (And not the wicked sinful nature of ALL of mankind) is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of THEIR heart, and upon the horns of your altars;”
Then God warns them that if they continue in their sin that he will cut them off from the land because THEIR heart has DEPARTED from the Lord. Now read verses 5 through 10.
Jeremiah 17:5-10.
“Thus says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and WHOSE HEART DEPARTS from the LORD. (So then, it is the HEART that trusts in MAN and DEPARTS from the Lord whose heart is DECEITFUL and DESPERATELY WICKED) 6. For HE (The one who DEPARTS from the Lord) shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. (Then in the next two verses the Lord goes on to CONTRAST the difference between the HEART that is DECEITFUL and DESPERATELY WICKED BECAUSE that heart has DEPARTED from the Lord contrasted to the HEART that TRUSTS in the Lord) 7. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Then in the next verse, God goes back to speaking about the HEART that has DEPARTED from the Lord and trusted in MAN) 9. The HEART (Speaking of ONLY the HEART that DEPARTS from the Lord) is DECEITFUL above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED: who can know it? (Then in the next verse we learn that there are obviously DIFFERENT kinds of HEARTS or else WHY would God even bother to SEARCH the HEART to find out which KIND of HEART a person has?) 10. I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his WAYS, and according to the fruit of his DOINGS.”
Now IF it were true that verse 9 means EVERY HEART of ALL of mankind is DECEITFUL and DESPERATELY WICKED as some FALSELY teach, then this would mean that ALL of mankind would be JUDGED ACCORDING to his EVIL WICKED WAYS because the FRUIT of a WICKED EVIL heart can only be EVIL. Jesus clearly and plainly teaches us this truth in the gospels. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ that Jeremiah 17:9 is speaking of ONLY the HEART of those who DEPART from the Lord whose heart is DECEITFUL and DESPERATELY WICKED? Also please notice that EVEN this person who DEPARTS from the Lord whose heart BECAME WICKED was NOT BORN with a WICKED SINFUL NATURE that is SO TOTALLY DEPRAVED that it is rendered TOTALLY UNABLE to turn to God without FIRST being REGENERATED or born again of the Holy Spirit as some FALSELY teach, because the context of this verse clearly teaches us that these hearts DEPARTED from the Lord. Calvinism clearly teaches that ALL of the ELECT will be saved without fail and that NONE of the ELECT can LOSE their salvation. Calvinism also teaches that NO NON ELECT person will be drawn to God to be saved and that NO UNREGENERATED person can come to the Lord. Therefore, according to Calvinism, it can be ONLY the ELECT one who DEPARTS from the Lord whose heart BECOMES DECEITFUL and DESPERATELY WICKED, but yet, according to Calvinism, NO ELECT one can ever possibly DEPART from the Lord. Every Calvinist that I have talked to will argue that those who DEPART from the Lord were NEVER truly saved. Calvinism totally CONTRADICTS itself, so do NOT TRUST in MAN that DEPARTS from the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. Think things THROUGH for YOURSELF. With that being said, let us go to the gospels and see what our Lord Jesus Christ said about the TWO DIFFERENT kinds of HEARTS, the GOOD heart and the EVIL heart, and HOW the HEART BECOMES EVIL.
Please read Luke 6:43-49, which says.
“For a GOOD tree brings NOT forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44. For EVERY tree is KNOWN by his OWN fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45. A good man out of the GOOD TREASURE of his heart brings forth that which is GOOD; and an evil man out of the EVIL TREASURE of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the ABUNDANCE of the heart his mouth speaks. 46. And WHY call you me, Lord, Lord, and DO NOT the things which I say? 47. Whosoever comes to me and hears my sayings, and DOES them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48. HE (Speaking of ONLY the one who obeys the teaching of Jesus) is like a man which built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49. BUT he that hears, and does NOT, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
In other words, it is up to us to make the TREASURE in our heart GOOD in ABUNDANCE so that we become DOERS of the word and NOT just HEARERS ONLY whereby we DECEIVE our own self. Now please read Matthew 12:33-37 where Jesus warns us to either make the tree GOOD and the FRUIT GOOD, or else make the tree CORRUPT and the FRUIT CORRUPT, because the one who is LUKEWARM Jesus will spew out of his mouth when he comes.
Matthew 12:33-37.
“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is KNOWN by his fruit. 34. O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the ABUNDANCE of the heart the mouth speaks. 35. A good man out of the GOOD TREASURE of the heart brings forth GOOD things: and an evil man out of the EVIL TREASURE brings forth EVIL things. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. 37. For by your words you shalt be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”
My point is this when a born-again Christian continually SPEAKS out of his or her mouth that they are SINNERS, then that is what will be BROUGHT FORTH. If you are TIRED of giving in to temptations then start changing the TREASURE of your HEART to that which is GOOD until it becomes the ABUNDANCE of your heart and you begin to speak God's word of TRUTH that you are a NEW CREATION and that the OLD treasure of your heart which BECAME EVIL has PASSED away and is DEAD to you. Begin reading and meditating on the word of God that teaches you that you are MORE than a conqueror THROUGH Jesus Christ and the anointing that is in you. For a deeper understanding of how you can live free from sin please read the study called F-12. How YOU can live YOUR LIFE FREE from SIN!, and the study entitled G-4. THE POWER OF OUR WORDS!. But for now, let us continue this study in God's word to expose the lies of these FALSE doctrines of original sin and total depravity. Now even after all this clear and plain evidence from God's word that proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that mankind did NOT INHERIT a SINFUL NATURE because of the sin of Adam there are some than want to cling to that which they have been taught by these FALSE man-made doctrines of original sin and total depravity based upon Job 15:14, which says.
Job 15:14.
“What is MAN, that he should be CLEAN? And he who is BORN of a woman, that he should be RIGHTEOUS?”
As I have said many times, ANY verse when taken OUT of CONTEXT and viewed ALONE and APART from the WHOLE word of God may SEEM to be saying something that the whole word of God does NOT teach. So then, let us keep this verse in perspective to the WHOLE word of God and see what the TRUTH of the matter truly is. Now if you read the entire context beginning with Job 15:1 you will see that a MAN named Eliphaz was MOCKING Job, who was maintaining that he himself was a RIGHTEOUS man before God. Now in Job 13:15, we see that Job is DECLARING to Eliphaz and his friends that he would MAINTAIN his WAYS. Then in Job 12:4, we see that the WAYS of Job were UPRIGHT or RIGHTEOUS before God.
Job 12:4.
“I am as one MOCKED of his neighbor, who CALLS upon God, and he ANSWERS him: the JUST UPRIGHT MAN is laughed to scorn.”
So then, now we have TWO different sides of a coin so to speak. On one side we have a MAN named Eliphaz that says what is MAN that he should be CLEAN and one BORN of a woman that he should be RIGHTEOUS. And on the other side, we have another man named Job who MAINTAINS that he is a JUST and an UPRIGHT MAN before God. Now WHO is right and who is wrong, because BOTH cannot be right. Either ALL of mankind is BORN WICKED and SINFUL, OR ALL of mankind is BORN INNOCENT and RIGHTEOUS before God. Both ways cannot be right. Well, I suppose that you can have YOUR OPINION and I suppose that I could have mine. But for ME, I would rather let the WHOLE word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible speak for itself and teach us which man is right by comparing Scripture with Scripture. So then, let us go to the end of the book of Job and read Job 42:7, where we see Almighty God HIMSELF speaking of this SAME matter of the THINGS which this MAN Eliphaz has SPOKEN to Job.
Job 42:7.
“And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My WRATH is kindled against YOU, and against your two friends: (WHY?) FOR (Or because) YOU (Speaking of ALL THREE of YOU, you AND your TWO friends) have NOT spoken of me the thing that is RIGHT, as my servant Job HAS.”
So then, this man Eliphaz did NOT speak that which is RIGHT before God when he SPOKE these words in Job 15:14.
Job 15:14.
“What is MAN that he should be CLEAN and one BORN of a woman that he should be RIGHTEOUS.”
Now if you are still not convinced that Job was a RIGHTEOUS and UPRIGHT man before Almighty God, then let us go to the beginning of the book of Job and read Job 1:1,8 and Job 2:3, which clearly teach us that Job is a RIGHTEOUS man, because Almighty God HIMSELF DECLARES Job to be a PERFECT and an UPRIGHT MAN.
Job 1:1.
“There was a MAN in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and THAT MAN was PERFECT and UPRIGHT, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil (Or fled from evil).”
Well, some may say, Well that was the narrator of the book of Job who said that and not Almighty God himself. So to you, I say keep reading because in Job 1:8 it is CLEARLY Almighty God speaking these SAME words.
John 1:8.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT and an UPRIGHT MAN, one that fears God, and eschews evil?”
Then Almighty God REPEATS in Job 2:3 with almost these same exact words again to us making sure that we KNOW without a doubt that MAN can be PERFECT and UPRIGHT before God even under the attack of Satan the devil.
Job 2:3.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT and an UPRIGHT MAN, one that fears God, and eschews evil? And STILL, he holds fast his INTEGRITY, although you move me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
So EVEN under the direct attack of Satan, we can REMAIN that PERFECT and UPRIGHT MAN that we have BECOME THROUGH the shed blood of Jesus who set us FREE from the DOMINION of SIN. Can you not see how false teaching arises BY verses of Scripture being taken out of their context and put together to make it appear that the Bible is teaching something that it is NOT TRULY teaching? So then, whenever a verse of Scripture seems to be a contradiction in God’s word, it is how one INTERPRETS that verse of Scripture that actually causes what SEEMS like a contradiction. And it is because one side of the other refuses to take a closer look at ALL THE verses to SOLVE what only seems like a contradiction that causes DIVISION in the church. Again, in Job 5:14 a MAN named Eliphaz was MOCKING Job, who was maintaining that he himself was a RIGHTEOUS man before God. And in Job 42 God said that Eliphaz did NOT speak rightly. And in Job chapter 1 and chapter 2 God said Job was righteous. So are you going to believe Eliphaz over Almighty God? That would be like believing the Jews when they said Jesus had a Devil, why would you hear the Jews over what God says, this is my beloved Son, hear him. Now that you have seen what the word of TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God TRULY teaches us you are going to have to make a choice as to which side you are going to believe, the side of the MAN, Eliphaz who says “What is MAN that he should be CLEAN and One BORN of a woman that he should be RIGHTEOUS.” OR are you going to side with the word of TRUTH, the WHOLE word of Almighty God who plainly and clearly declares the MAN Job to be a PERFECT and an UPRIGHT MAN before him? Keep in mind that those MEN who teach these FALSE doctrines of MEN on original sin and total depravity use Job 15:14 in order to TRY to prove their MAN made doctrines. My point is this, YOU can believe what you want to believe, but the TRUTH of the matter is that these FALSE doctrines of original sin and total depravity will only serve to KEEP you UNDER the BONDAGE of SIN, because they teach you that you are BORN with a SINFUL NATURE and that it is YOUR NATURE to SIN. And if you truly believe that it is your NATURE to sin, then you will be deceived as well into believing that you are destined to sin because it is your NATURE. Plain and simple, the false doctrine of original sin began with Augustine. Here is a website where you can find the HISTORY of when the doctrine of original sin began. The FALSE DOCTRINE of ORIGINAL SIN! And if you truly desire to quit sinning and be an OVERCOMER, then start believing the WHOLE word of Almighty God, rather than the doctrines of MAN. Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. So, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading >>>D-0. THE BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of JESUS!<<< And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading >>>C-0. THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH!<<< This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to
VERSES USED TO TEACH THAT JESUS PREEXISTED!
To me, the best way to know the ONE true God in ONE person is to know who Jesus TRULY is according to the WHOLE word of Almighty God. So please read ALL of the studies under the heading >>>N-0. WHO is JESUS ACCORDING to the BIBLE?<<< and you will see that the Bible itself teaches us that Jesus was CREATED by his God and Father. And if you have any questions related to the correct meaning of certain verses of Scripture on this subject of who Jesus is please read all the studies under the two headings >>>U-0. VERSES used for THE TRINITY!<<< and >>>V-0. VERSES used to TEACH that Jesus PRE-EXISTED!<<< These two headings have ALL of the studies that I have on who Jesus truly is according to what the Bible itself teaches us in simplicity. I compiled these three headings to make it easy for my readers to send just one, two, or three links to those you desire to help understand what the Bible itself teaches concerning who Jesus is in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me. My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com. Thanks again for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God.
Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
RETURN to HOMEPAGE at
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Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!
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