The degeneracy of humankind

Much of this history is recorded in the first 10 chapters of Genesis but the restoration and immortality content are in the Gospel message of the Jesus Christ. 

Elaboration and specific details of man’s corrupted nature is recorded throughout the Bible and most especially in the Book of Romans written by the Apostle Paul. Chapter (1:28-32). It is a shocking and ugly description of humanity, especially considering the original dignity, nobility, and Godlikeness man enjoyed for some time immediately following Creation. 

“And even as they (human society) did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

History proves these disheartening words are too true. 

With a period of peace and prosperity these last few years, and amazing advances in all areas of knowledge and technology, you would think it would and should have served to make society more refined, cultured, and peaceable. But the barbaric scenes of Russia’s war against the nation of Ukraine utterly shatter the illusion and perhaps, opens the eyes of those who have been lulled into accepting the false notion of humanity’s steadily improving moral and civility level in society.

Even in these modern days, we are again witnessing another man-made humanitarian crisis in the man’s long history of self-inflicted tragedies, and it is of heart-breaking proportions. 

Furthermore, it seems closer to home with barbaric scenes of a catastrophic war displayed in life sized images on TV screens of our own homes. 

Moreover, the Bible tells us in Roman’s 3:10-13 “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. There is none who does good, no, not one.”  

In unmistakable language impossible to misunderstand, the Bible expresses the fact that human depravity is an all-inclusive character flaw, the manifestation of which, is possible in every human being who has walked on planet earth.

That is why the gospel of Jesus Christ is such good news. 

The details of the Gospel are not only beautiful, hopeful, and promising, but can be communicated by just one verse of twenty four words in the New Testament that tells the whole story of the Divine solution to human depravity. It is found in The Gospel of John (3:16). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Pastor Gene Holman of Living Word Fellowship in Gardnerville is a member of Carson Valley Ministers’ Association