Total Depravity or Total Inability

Mankind inherited from Adam a totally depraved nature. Total depravity does not mean that everyone is as completely evil in their actions as they possibly could be. It means that every facet of their nature (thoughts, will, body, etc.) is corrupt.

As a result of this innate corruption all men are born spiritual dead. They are utterly unable to save themselves from eternal damnation, or even to accept the salvation God offers. This is what is meant by “total inability”. As the saying goes “dead men don’t rise” (at least, not by themselves).

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)

“And you, who were dead in you trespasses and the uncircumcision of you flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.” (Colossians 2:13)

Everything that an unregenerate person does is evil—and nothing but, all the time (Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Ephesians 2:1-2, etc.). Paul says that they are “slaves to sin”, and Genesis is very clear on this point:

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

Even the seemingly virtuous acts are evil, because they come from an intention that is far from virtuous. Nobody jumps into the river to save a drowning child without expecting to climb up the opposite bank amid thunderous applause.

Men not only cannot do anything about their spiritual condition, they don’t want to (1 Corinthians 1:21, 2:14; John 3:19, etc.). God is not turning away sinners, heartbroken because their plea for mercy has been rejected. They don’t want mercy. “Who is God to tell us that we need salvation? Are we helpless kittens caught on a roof that God should offer to rescue us?” (Emphatically, yes, and a whole lot more.)

The only way anyone was ever saved or ever will be saved is because God has first regenerated them (or made them alive). Only when the Holy Spirit breathes life into a person, do they have the ability or the desire to take up their cross and follow Him. But, when God does regenerate a person, you couldn’t keep him away from Christ with the Berlin wall.

Because Jesus commands everyone everywhere to repent and believe, many people find it hard to except this doctrine. It is hard to believe that God would command something He alone can give. So, they propose that men are just sick and not dead. They paint a picture of God tossing a rope to drowning men who, if they would only reach out grab it, would be saved. Rather, I propose this (and I think God does too): God is throwing a rope to drowned men who, if and only if God makes them alive, will reach out, grab it, and be saved.