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There is something in our minds, fueled by the lies of our great Enemy himself, that is the source of all of our problems: we think we’re good enough to handle life by ourselves.

This is why we don’t come to God in humility and dependence. This is why prayer and Bible study are often a strain to maintain. I’ve often said that there is one question that, when answered, will instantly tell us the level of our pride and self-sufficiency: “How much do we pray?” If you can go a day, a week, a month without Word-driven praying, it is a clear indication that we think we can make it without God.

THE GREAT LEVELER

Romans is the most logical, masterful explanation of the truth of the gospel. Paul begins by reminding us that God has revealed Himself to everyone. There is no one with an excuse for not turning to Him.

In chapters two and three of Romans, he proves, layer by layer, our utter sinfulness and need. But the climax is in Chapter 3.

There is no one righteous, not even one.

11There is no one who understands;

there is no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away;

all alike have become worthless.

There is no one who does what is good,

not even one.,

13Their throat is an open grave;

they deceive with their tongues.,

Vipers’ venom is under their lips.,

14Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.,

15Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,

17and the path of peace they have not known.,

18There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3)

We are sinful and needy. This is because God made us to live in intimacy and dependency upon Him. It simply will not work any other way. When we try, we are miserable failures, and out of our depravity comes all kinds of overt sins that hurt us, hurt others, and destroy the world.

The overwhelming truth of our utter sinfulness walks us right up to the great truth of the gospel: that God has sent His Son to die for us, pay our penalty, and come to live in us, giving us life and righteousness. The depth of our daily goodness depends entirely upon the depth of our communion with Him and dependence upon His life within. The man who realizes this reads his Bible voraciously because he realizes he must hear from God. He prays, for without unceasing prayer, he goes astray quickly.

Our depravity is part of God’s glorious plan that is designed to thrust us back into the place we belong, for His presence is our greatest need and our presence (with Him) is His great desire. We need Him, and it’s hopeless to try to be good without His empowering grace.

Copyright © 2025 by Bill Elliff @ billelliff.org. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org