7 Men, 4 Women, 10 Sins

January 10, 2010 by

Some people believe humankind is ultimately good at its core. The problem is that’s not what the Bible says.

Romans 3:10 can’t be more clear: “There is none righteous, not even one.” Jeremiah goes on: “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Isaiah continues: “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” (Isaiah 64:6b) Jesus adds: “No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18b)

If that isn’t enough, reflect upon the senselessness of our Lord’s death on the cross (since there was no need for salvation?).

And finally consider some of the so-called “saints” of Scripture (see list below). The truth is every last one of them was utterly flawed. It offers us hope. Each attained eternal salvation (there are good indications they did), but it wasn’t because of their own goodness. Thus, you and I as sinners can, too.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

7 Men, 4 Women, 10 Sins…

    • Saul approves of Stephen’s stoning. (Acts 7:59-8:1)
    • Peter denies Christ. (Matthew 26:69-70)
    • Unnamed woman caught in adultery. (John 8:3)
    • David numbers the people. (1 Chronicles 21:1)
    • Elijah becomes depressed, suicidal. (1 Kings 19:1-4)
    • Bathsheba sleeps with the king. (2 Samuel 11:4)
    • Moses strikes wilderness rock. (Numbers 20:11-12)
    • Sarah laughs at God’s promise. (Genesis 18:9-12)
    • Abraham lies about wife. (Genesis 12:11-13)
    • Eve, Adam eat forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3:6)

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Filed Under: bible, blogger, christian, forgiveness, god, heaven, jesus, mother lode, religion, salvation, sin, sinners, sonora, twain harte
About Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike is making the most of web technologies to encourage disciples. A self-proclaimed “twitterholic,” one twitter follower describes him as the “jogging, blogging, tweeting Pastor.” Visits to Pastor Mike’s blog (A Heart For God) number in the hundreds of thousands. His video blogs have been viewed over a half a million times.

Comments

  1. Bob says
    January 11, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Great point. So many people think that because of our goodness God will love us, because of the works we do. How wrong is that? Our “value” doesn’t attract God’s love, our value comes from God’s love. His sacrifice is what gave us value. Thanks again Mike for another home run!!!

    P.S. We are currently living as in the times of Noah and look what God said about the goodness of man at that time that time.
    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.

  2. Fabbuccino says
    June 9, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    I have always found it so wonderful that one aspect of being a follower of Christ that makes us so unique from everyone else is that while every religion tries to find a solution in one’s self; whether it is inner peace, inner good, performing a greater good, and so on and so forth; a follower of Christ knows that the solution is only found in Christ and Him alone.

    How wonderful it is to know that the reason I need God is because I can’t do it on my own; I can’t be good; I can’t measure up. What Christ did on the cross qualified me to come to the throne of grace and admit, “Lord, I’m a sinner. I need you”.

    Thank you and God bless.

  3. guidedbyHim says
    April 16, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    nailhead…consider it hit! i have shared the word with many worldly people and always the same comments are made, ‘im not a sinner’ or ‘God knows im a good person’. but its all quite the opposite. i will be making good notes on this one. thanks again for all your inspirational reads. Praise the Lord. God bless.

  4. flyovercindy says
    June 3, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Thank you for the insightful thoughts – pray for our country and all people