Human Depravity is a
practical doctrine
It is a doctrine of great
practical value as well as doctrinal importance. The
foundation of all true piety lies in a correct view of ourselves
and our vileness, and a Scriptural belief of God and His grace.
There can be no genuine self-abhorrence or repentance, no real
appreciation of the saving mercy of God, no faith in Christ,
without it. There is nothing like a
knowledge of this doctrine so well calculated to undeceive vain
man and convict him of the worthlessness and rottenness of his
own righteousness. Yet the preacher who is sensible of
the plague of his own heart knows full well that he cannot
present this Truth in such a way as to make his hearers actually
realize and feel the same, so as to make them out of love with
themselves and cause them to renounce forever all hope in
themselves. Therefore, instead of relying upon his faithfulness
in presenting the Truth, he will be cast upon God to apply it
graciously in power to those who hear him and bless his feeble
efforts.
