“[9] What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. [13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes. [19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” — Romans 3:9-19
Here begins the “Romans Road.” Paul has explained in chapters 1 and 2 that all of mankind, both Jew and Gentile, is under a covenant of works that is impossible to keep and comes with the curse of separation from God for sin. Using verses from the Old Testament he offers scripture after scripture illustrating the total depravity of man. Even when unregenerate people try to be spiritual they remain under the curse of works righteousness. No philosophy or religion testifies to the total depravity of man and man’s inability to earn righteousness. All religions outside of Christianity testify that human nature is inherently good but must be refined through acts of will. This is as true of Roman Catholicism as it is of Buddhism or Islam. None seek after God.
In an American court room, we are innocent until proven guilty. At the judgement seat of Christ, all are guilty unless declared innocent. People think that their life will be graded on a bell curve. Being ignorant of the Bible’s standard for righteousness, they compare themselves to those around them and assume they must be ok because they’re a little better than the worst person they know. But it’s not a bell curve. It’s a pass or fail test and without Christ we will not pass. It’s an open book test though, and you can find all the answers you need in the sixty six books of the Bible.
Selah.
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