A Complete Loss

Psalm 14:2-3

Do you realize that there is not one basic truth of Scripture that we must believe, if we are to understand and appreciate our salvation, that is not taught in the book of Psalms?

One of these is the very humiliating truth that we come into this world spiritually dead. Not spiritually sick, weak, or paralyzed but DEAD, which means that we must be given a new life before we can even want to be saved. For God clearly teaches this in Psalm 14:2-3, where He tells us, "The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is not one that doeth good, no not one." Notice that all are gone aside and become filthy — and the Hebrew word here means that they stink like a dead body— and that there is not one that does good. Had man kept just a little spiritual life, he would have performed at least one good work.

But here is the truth God told Adam before he fell. He would die the day that he sinned. That day he did not die physically, although death began in his body, but he did die spiritually that day. And that is why Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1 that God quickens — that is, makes alive those dead in trespasses and sins.

Remember that when you sing the versification of David's words (PRC Psalter):

    From righteousness they all depart,
    Corrupt are all, and vile in heart;
    Yea ev'ry man has evil done;
    Not one does good, not even one.

Hold on to that truth. Ours was a complete loss. We lost all ability to love God and serve Him. We do not help God save us. He even has to give us the desire to be saved. For dead men do nothing, even as children contribute nothing to their conception or birth. They neither ask for it nor help make it possible.

Take that truth with you today. Let it humble you before God and help you to be thankful for what He has done for you. How much is it not then that we owe Him? By all means do not think that we help God and let Him save us. Dead men have nothing to say about what happens to them.

Read: Psalm 14 
Psalter versification: #23:3

Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Song for Meditation: Psalter #55
Why not sing along??

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Deuteronomy 32:28-52 
Luke 12:35-59 
Psalm 78:56-64 
Proverbs 12:24 
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Quote for Reflection:

"But as far as it is a symbol of our confession, we ought by it to testify that our confidence is in God’s mercy, and our purity in forgiveness of sins, which has been procured for us through Jesus Christ; and that we enter God’s church in order to live harmoniously with all believers in complete agreement of faith and love.  This last point was what Paul meant when he said, ”We have all been baptized in one Spirit that we may be one body.'" (I Corinthians 12:13).  -- John Calvin, (Institutes of the Christian Religion)