You will never seek the mercy and grace of God in Christ until you are convinced of your sin, convinced that you are without excuse, and convinced that you are personally guilty before the holy Lord God.
We are, everyone of us, and every one of our children, sinners, corrupt at heart, corrupt by nature, corrupt by choice, and corrupt by practice. So vile, so corrupt are we, that the thoughts of the human heart are only evil continually (Genesis 6:5; Matthew 15:19-20).
So evil are we that we cannot and will not do good. If you die without Christ, this is what you shall be forever in hell. There will be no changes on the other side of the grave.
Whatever else hell may be, it is a place of ever-increasing torment, blackness, darkness, corruption, and burning lusts, without satisfaction. This is called “Total Depravity.”
We are depraved, spiritually dead sinners by nature, incapable of changing our condition, or even wishing to change it. Man is so depraved that it is utterly impossible for him ever
to escape the wrath of God, if left to himself. But, blessed be God, that which is impossible with men is possible with God!
By the work of his sovereign, free, distinguishing, effectual grace, some men and women are made new creatures in Christ. May God be pleased to do for you and me what we cannot do for ourselves. Oh, may God be pleased to save us from ourselves, for Christ’s sake!
Don Fortner, Pastor Grace Baptist Church Danville, Kentucky
‘Oh, may God be pleased to save us from ourselves, for Christ’s sake!’. Sounds like he is not sure he is one of the elect.