Are People Basically Good?
By George Stroh
March 5, 2012
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
Are people basically good? Are we born with a good heart? The word "good" is originally derived from the word "God" or "godly". So are we then born with a God-like, godly or even divine nature... A natural desire to be holy, morally excellent, virtuous, righteous and pious?
The answer is no! The word of God says that we are not basically good, rather we are born with a sin nature; Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:5). As it is written, "There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God. (Romans 3:10,11)
This fundamental misconception that people are born with a good and pure heart and are therefore basically good is the platform for all kinds of Satanic lies and false doctrines. If people are basically good, then there is no need for repentance, forgiveness of sin or redemption. Christ's death on the cross for sinners was unnecessary because we are really not "dead in our trespasses and sins". According to this false doctrine, anyone who sins, only just needs to be forgiven by others, revived and restored back to there basically good (godly) nature.
Most people have bought into this big lie of Satan but God is not, of course, deceived; I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.(Jeremiah 17:10). We are born with a sin nature and everyone knows that even children manifest their sin nature very early in life. Children don't need to learn to be selfish... It comes naturally!
David recognized his innate sin nature and cried out to God; "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 50:10). Unfortunately, many even so called Christians believe that they are born basically good and therefore reject or treat lightly the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The prerequisite of the gospel is the understanding that we are conceived in sin, that we have an unclean heart and are separated from God because of our sin. The penalty for sin is eternal death in hell. But through repentance and faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross, we can have a new heart, a new godly nature in Him and eternal life in heaven. Maranatha!
|
