To embrace and appreciate the gospel (that is… the good news regarding God’s act to save us) fully, a person must grasp its necessity. The gospel is not just one particularly helpful solution to a problem that many people in our culture face. The gospel is the ONLY hope for every single human being (except Jesus).

Until we come to grips with the universal depravity of mankind, we will not love, appreciate, or treasure the gospel or the God who designed, planned, and carried it out.

¹⁰as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”

Romans 3:10-12 (ESV)

At the heart of Paul’s systematic presentation of the gospel in his magnificent letter to the church in Rome, he labors to show mankind’s universal need for salvation. In fact, he devotes a massive chunk of this letter to establishing the foundation for these three verses.

For in these verses provide a summative declaration regarding the natural state of every human born into this world (except Jesus). Namely, we are enemies of God by our own choosing and we don’t know, understand, or even want Him.

If these verses describe our condition correctly, a few conclusions are obvious. I am naturally evil not good. Even on my best day I don’t want God. My hope of gaining merit with God is lost. My sinful heart leaves me with no value before a holy, perfect God.

Christian, don’t run from these conclusions for they are wonderful. Don’t ignore them or downplay them or hide from them or treat them like extraneous details or reject them. Embrace Romans 3:10-12. Thank God for its truthfulness because only in the light of our depravity does the gospel appear glorious and the God who accomplished it appear praiseworthy!