If you think I'm suggesting that something about human nature is somehow radically corrupt, even fatally flawed, you're right. How so, you might ask? After all, just look at all the people who regularly and sacrificially do wonderful things for others and benefit the world in which we live.

Although it's true that we can point to many examples of kindness or compassion on the part of all kinds of people, it's also true that we can point to numerous examples of unpleasant and destructive behavior. It's so pervasive, in fact, that we have to buy products in theft-resistant packaging, walk through metal detectors in airports, and avoid disclosing our Social Security Numbers to those who are not authorized to use them. Why are things this way?

The only satisfactory explanation for this of which I am aware is the one Scripture (see my article, "What is Your Ultimate Authority?") provides: our heritage is a nature which is corrupt to the very core of our beings (Jer. 17:9; Romans 3:9; Eph. 2:1-3). This is because we are the offspring of progenitors who, after a tragic failure, became corrupt in their nature (Gen. 3:16-20; Romans 5:17; I Cor. 15:22). It is only by the gracious intervention of the Divine Creator that we have not succeeded in destroying ourselves.

It is because of this radical corruption that people, in their natural state, have no interest in restoring a lost relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. People may live what seem to be commendable lives, perhaps attending church activities and even becoming leaders in various kinds of ministries, but of themselves they have no real interest in knowing the Creator as He is; neither do they want to seek after Him on His terms (Romans 3:10-11; 8:8; I Cor. 2:14). They don't show any serious commitment to understanding His will (John 14:24). They will often convince themselves that they have a "ticket to Heaven", perhaps due to their involvement in a church or some other reason (see my article, "The Doctrine of Assurance"). Maybe they will latch onto a few statements of Scripture as being desirable, then refuse to go near other statements which make them feel uncomfortable. Of course they will only want to associate with people who likewise don't want to think about those same issues.

What will bring people out of their dullness? The Scriptures say they need to be given spiritual life (John 3:16; John 5:24; Eph. 2:4-5). It is only by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that they will see their great need to call upon the mercy of God and seek to understand His word and how they need to walk with Him (John 6:40, 44; Eph. 2:1-10). But it doesn't end there.

The aforementioned tendencies are not eliminated at the time of conversion. In fact, it is with these tendencies that we struggle from the moment of conversion to when we take our last breath on this present Earth. Wonderfully the Scriptures promise that in Christ we can do all things (Phil. 4:13), and that His grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9). The Lord also instituted His church so that we may become nourished and strengthened in our faith (see my article, "What about the Various 'Christian' Denominations?").

May we never be content to walk in our "human" nature!