God told Noah after the flood that “…..the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). He did not say this only about those who died in the flood but about all of humanity. Noah and his family were all that was left and God said that he knew the intent of their hearts was evil from their youth.

Isaiah wrote, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away” (64:6). The best among us is therefore no more deserving than the worst. The prophet also said,

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull

that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken falsehood, your tongue mutters wickedness.” (59:1-3)

God would later ask through Jeremiah, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (17:9).

Jesus himself pointed out the stark truth, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” (Luke 17:10).

What have we so far?

• The intent of our hearts is evil from our youth
• All of our righteous deeds are like filthy rags
• Our iniquities separate us from God
• Our hearts are deceitful and sick
• Even when we get something right, we are still unprofitable servants

Thankfully, Jesus had his apostle write for our relief:

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”, Romans 7:24

Who are we? We are wretched men, saved only through Jesus by the grace of God Almighty!