Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Romans 5:12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

This morning, there are people all over the world that are trying to tell their fellow man that they are not as bad as they seem. All of us have a little good in us that needs a little kindling or bellowing to turn into a great blaze. This "divine spark" can be made a roaring fire and make someone "on fire for Jesus." Some will even beseech others to accept who they are and let them be themselves. This notion is flatly contradicted by this verse in Romans.

When Adam ate of the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he damned himself and his posterity at that very moment. We were all plunged into the miry clay, and had no ability to regain favour and fellowship with God. We were enemies, dead in trespasses and in sins, and were by nature the children of wrath. Man has nothing good in himself that he can claim. The best that he can offer is a filthy rag in the sight of the Almighty.

This nature is manifested as soon as we are born. We are sinners before, but our actions show exactly what is in the heart. Man goes forth speaking lies, and unless the grace of God intervenes in that heart, it will forever speak lies until the moment of death. This doctrine of total depravity is not a very popular one, but it is not hard to see. Paul said in Galatians 5 that the works of the flesh are manifest. That means that one does not have to look too hard to find them.

So, man can deny this doctrine all day and all night, but the evidence is overwhelming. Again, this is not popular, because it does not appeal to man's flesh and pride. However, I am so thankful this morning that the end of the story is that "by the disobedience of one, many were made sinners. So by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous." Thanks be to him for rescuing us from our depraved condition.

In Hope,

Bro Philip