Yeah Romans 7 really spells it out, with Paul feeling his total depravity in his members and also when he mentions that when the law revived he died......

I also think this topic is tied to assurance where Paul fears that if he fails in his faithful teachings he would be a castaway, and speaks of all the affliction he has suffered in the name of Christ and near the end of his life he's speaks of fighting the good fight...he doesn't sound like one who is secure in his regenerate state....

I always thought the P of tulip was always dead on, the regenerate persevere...they do not feel secure in assurance in themselves or their experiences....their rest, faith and hope is always in Christ...He is their assurance.....


Originally Posted by Robin
I'm with AC on this one. I am fully capable of sinking into depths of sinful depravity if I despair of God's providence and abandon myself to my own inclinations. I take the Apostle Paul's description of being trapped, ending up doing what he doesn't want to and neglecting the things he really inwardly wants. Yet thanking God for His deliverance from that bondage at the same time.

It's an already / not yet kinda thing. I'm free, but not fully delivered. Sin has no power in me, yet it sometimes seems to trade places with my righteous intentions, sometimes reigning in my thoughts, words, and actions.

Am I totally depraved? Yes and no. Am I totally free from sin? Yes and no... already / not yet.

Last edited by AC.; Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:26 PM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine