It’s one of Satan’s greatest deceptions. The Prince of this world has man believing that he is basically good and that the God of creation accepts and loves him based on his inherent goodness, regardless. It’s a grave error promoted by all religions except Christianity. The world religions attempt to reach up to God hoping to appease Him based on their own effort; Christianity has God reaching down to us recognizing our utterly sinful and helpless condition.
Since the earliest days when Adam’s son, Cain, offered a sacrifice to God that was contrary to God’s command, man has sought to approach God on his own terms and merit. Holy Scripture makes it abundantly clear that we are not only needy but also spiritually dead because of our sin.
“There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)
Despite that truth, the Prince of this world continually whispers in our ear, “Did God really say that, are you sure? Surely you know the Bible was written by men a long time ago and is full of contradictions and errors. Cultures have changed a lot since then. Relax! You’re OK.”…and so man goes, descending into the pit, separated from God forever.
