I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell youthe truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

John 8:37-50

Typically, when a principle or doctrine is theoretically described in scripture, there is at least one example to help us understand what is meant by that principle. The condition of total depravity or a person being dead in sins is clearly taught throughout the Bible. Here, in John 8, we have one of the clearest examples of someone in that condiiton.

Romans 3:10-18 is the clearest definition of the condition of an unregenerate man. We can see in Paul’s description that a person without the grace of God in their lives is utterly and totally depraved, and completely unable to bring themselves out of that condition.

This portion of Jesus’ discourse shows an example of people in this condition. These unbelieving Jews were not only unwilling to believe in Christ, they were unable because they were still dead in sin.

Let me start by stating what the Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 9:1-8. Just because a person is a natural Jew and has the bloodline of Abraham, they are not a spiritual Jew (ie. a child of God).

Jesus tells these men that they are not the spiritual descendents of Abraham because Abraham rejoiced in the things of God and they want to stifle the things of God by killing Jesus. He further declares this by saying that God is not their Father. There is no other explanation for what Jesus says other than that these men are unregenerate.

This passage proves to us that no man, not even the greatest preacher to ever speak, can change the hearts of dead sinners with the truth of the gospel. Jesus did not attempt to sway their opinion and get them “born again.” Human reason is not how someone is born again. They are born from above just like Jesus taught Nicodemus in Chapter three.

So, where is the good news in this account?

Well, let me ask you this, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? If you say, yes, then that is a clear evidence that Jesus has already saved you. You are already born again. You can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. You can go to church and just praise Him for Who He is!

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1st Corinthians 1:18

You can rejoice in the power of God revealed to you in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.