What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together, they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:9-12
Paul states that even though the Jews had the privilege of having the law and bearing the sign of God’s covenant with them within their flesh, they were no better than anyone else. Historically, the Jews repeatedly received correction from God for their pridefulness and their sin of idolatry.
Humanity has an inherited tendency to be a prideful bunch. Some believe we are guaranteed an inevitable birthright simply by being born. In chapter 12, verse 3, he says that we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. So, from where do these high thoughts come? Where do these prideful, selfish thoughts originate? Jesus explained it this way, “What comes out of a person defiles him. From within, out of man’s heart, evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
Paul asserts that sinfulness is universal. Since our hearts have defiled us to the point that we cannot comprehend our sin and misery, we cannot understand spiritual things, nor do we truly know the way of salvation by Christ. Without spiritual understanding, we cannot and will not correctly seek God. John 4:24 tells us that “God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” I understand we attempt to seek Him for selfish reasons, but that comes out of a lack of understanding.
The fault lies in the corruption of our hearts, which perverts our understanding, blinding us to the truth. James states it this way: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) Since as Paul stated, “All have turned aside; together, they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one,” How are we to respond to the truth that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
We start by acknowledging and confessing our sins.
We seek God through His Word.
We turn away from our evil deeds and practice good works that please God.