The Inadequacy in Humans - Chan Wei Ling

Journeying through the course of 3 weeks has really solidified my faith in Christ. I am now, able to recognize how inadequate and insufficient I am as a human being. Since the beginning, from Adam’s fall into sin, humanity has been left spiritually dead. So let me share some of the reasons that the spirit has unveiled my eyes to see in these past 3 weeks.

1.    We are totally depraved

(i)            Sin

As humans we all fall short of God’s glory because we sin. The fact that we sin taints our entire being, our mind, will, emotions and flesh. This sin permeates our entire personhood. With the fact that we are incapable of not sinning; many times we do things that stem from a place that gives glory to ourselves rather than God therefore causing us to find ourselves in situations where we question our motivation behind our actions taken.

(ii)           “A dream is a wish your heart makes”

“Listen to your heart and Follow it” is a way of life that is often seen in the secular world. Even in fairy tales we see, unless you listen to what your heart wants you will be unable to experience fullness and joy. However, to what extent are our hearts really reliable? The bible often uses negative words to describe a man’s heart. It is known to be deceitful, wicked and evil.

Jeremiah 17:9

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (ESV)

This emphasizes the fact that we are not able to trust our own desires as it is possible that it stems from a place of sin. Many times I catch myself making decisions based on how I feel regarding the issue and what I think seems best for the situation. However, after reading Jeremiah 17:9 and looking back on some decisions I had made in the past, I realized that there were many decisions that were decided not based on giving Glory to God but simply out of convenience or practicality. I took a secular approach towards these decisions and not one that was able to 叫人得益处 . However I take comfort in the fact that I am not condemned for these decisions made but saved through Christ who died on the cross for me when I was spiritually blind.

(iii)          Not my merit, not my works but my faith

We are given the gift of salvation not based on our merit or works but by faith alone. For it is because we as humans receive validation and approval through our merit and the works we have done thus we think that the way to heaven is through merit or works. Hence, the bible often reminds us that whatever works we do equates to filthy rags as seen Isaiah 64:6.

Isaiah 64:6

⁶ We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (ESV)

Knowing this makes me realize I shouldn’t see a need to get approval or validation from people when I make decisions because when it come to God, he does not choose to give grace based on how good you are, but based on how much you have done, because he loves us.

(Similarly to receiving Holy communion, church elders distributing the communion signifies that God’s grace is extended out to reach us and it is not by our own merits or works that we receive his grace.)

2 Timothy 1:9
⁹ Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, (ESV)

Therefore, we as humans, being incapable of being righteous and holy are to be condemned for our sins, creating a gap between God and us. Knowing this, we are to look at ourselves as insignificant beings, like a vapour in the wind; here today and gone tomorrow.

Many people might say that knowing this fact robs us of any value in life. However, we have hope, by the love and grace of God, because he sent down his one and only begotten son, Jesus Christ as atonement for our sins, so that we can be purified and righteous holy people. It is through this that the gap between God and us has been bridged, hence enabling us to enjoy the relationship and goodness of our Father in Heaven.

Titus 3:5

⁵ He saves us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 

2.    Inability to be self-sufficient

As learnt during our STEP program, we are humans who have limitations.

We Are	God Is
Mortal (with eternity in our hearts) Finite (Limited) -       In power -       In knowledge -       In space and time Contingent (Dependent) Created	Eternal Infinite (Unlimited) -       Omnipotent (All powerful) -       Omniscient (Complete and unlimited knowledge of all) -       Omnipresent (Through time and space) Self-Existence Creator

This shows the clear disparity between being the creator compared to being the created.

Due to the fact that we are depraved, we sin, resulting us being justly condemned. Calvinists believe that God’s choice resides entirely in his good pleasure which is his grace. And what is God’s grace about? God’s grace is not based on things that we do but on unmerited favour which is something we do not deserve. God does this out of his immense love for us and faithfulness to us therefore we should always give thanks to God for giving us this gift of salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ For by grace you are saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works so that no one may boast.

Deutronomy 7:8-9

⁸ But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (ESV)

May we be reminded that we are able to rejoice and give thanks to God, Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit for allowing us to live such a rich abundant life, full of hope and purpose. God is indeed good all the time!

Hebrews 9:14

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!