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Why is total depravity important for Christians?

Answered in 40 sources

Understanding total depravity reveals the necessity of God's grace for salvation and highlights the inability of human righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).

The significance of total depravity for Christians lies in its role in the understanding of salvation. It helps to clarify that no human effort or moral action can achieve righteousness before God, as articulated in Isaiah 64:6, which states, 'all our righteousness is as filthy rags.' This realization leads believers to comprehend that salvation is purely by God's grace and not by works. Recognizing our total inability fosters humility and dependence on God, as we acknowledge our need for a Savior who is capable of redeeming us from our sinful state. It highlights the necessity of Christ's sacrificial atonement and encourages a deeper appreciation for the grace that brings about true transformation in our lives.
Scripture References: Isaiah 64:6, Romans 1:18-20, Romans 3:9-19, Romans 5:12, John 5:40, Romans 5:8, Genesis 6:5, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:10-12, Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-4, Romans 7, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:3, Ephesians 2:1, Exodus 6:6-7, John 6:65, Ephesians 2:1-4; Romans 3:9-20, Ephesians 2:1-3, Luke 5:12-14, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:5, John 6:44, John 1:13, Isaiah 65:1-10

Sermons (34)

Total Inability Part 1
Mikal Smith · Oct 7, 2017
Willing
Todd Nibert · Nov 2, 2025
Safe In The Ark
Darvin Pruitt · Jul 14, 2019
Prophesies of Jacob
Jim Byrd · Aug 31, 2022
Total Depravity
Gabe Stalnaker · May 26, 2024
Can't Keep a Secret
Greg Elmquist · Nov 12, 2025
You are special in God's eyes
Bruce Wortmann · May 25, 2022
Some Believed and Some Believed Not
Eric Floyd · Feb 15, 2026
By Grace We Are Saved
Bill Parker · Oct 30, 2022
Christ the Balm of Gilead
Gary Shepard · Sep 11, 2016
Seven I Wills
Kevin Thacker · May 12, 2024
Issues From Death
Darvin Pruitt · Sep 28, 2025
Drawing Grace
Jim Byrd · Sep 24, 2023
Total Depravity & The Clarity of Evangelism
Dr. Steven J. Lawson · Jan 25, 2019
Not Ashamed
Kevin Thacker · Jan 24, 2020
Who Shall Lay Anything to the Charge of God's Elect
Eric Floyd · Sep 1, 2024
Things most believed among us (pt1) Luke 1:4
John Reeves · Jan 8, 2023
He Seeing Jesus
Darvin Pruitt · Sep 5, 2021
An Old Question
David Pledger · May 26, 2024
Total Depravity
Clay Curtis · Sep 30, 2018
Delivered By Sovereign Grace
Eric Lutter · Dec 31, 2023
As Dead
Tim James · Jan 5, 2025
To Whom Is The Gospel Sent
Marvin Stalnaker · May 8, 2016
Rewards or Reward?
Greg Elmquist · Apr 7, 2024
The Way They Call Heresy Acts 24:14
Fred Evans · Dec 31, 2025
(pt77) Matthew
John Reeves · Oct 3, 2025
Those Who Shall Believe (2)
Bill Parker · Mar 17, 2024
Salvation For Sinners
Cody Henson · Jul 3, 2022
The Effectual Call Of The Gospel
Tom Harding · Sep 11, 2016
T is for Total Depravity
Norm Wells · Jul 10, 2019
Grace is Still Grace
Drew Dietz · Feb 28, 2021
When Inability Meets Omnipotence
Todd Nibert · Dec 10, 2015
God's Perfect Sacrifice
Gene Harmon · Jan 26, 2020
My Gospel - Is It An Offer Or A Declaration?
Allan Jellett · Mar 19, 2017

Articles (6)

Discovering Christ in Romans
Don Fortner · Apr 12, 2011
Total Depravity
Gilbert Beebe · Jul 29, 2004
The Message of the Gospel
Don Fortner · Feb 8, 2009
Eight Stubborn Statements!
Don Fortner · Apr 19, 2021
TULIP Scriptural References
Unlisted · Jan 5, 2019
What Does it Mean to be Reformed?
Don Fortner · Dec 28, 2018
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