12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Verse 12 demonstrates the outcome and consequence of universal sin.
The fourth indictment against mankind is that they deliberately turn from God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They deliberately avoid encountering God in their lives. The Greek word for “turned aside” is a strong term for willful departure from God and His truth. These people are wayward at heart; they are spiritual deviants. This is active, willful departure from the living God. There is inveterate rebellion in man toward God. Man takes a detour rather than the road God has for him. Jesus said, “I am the road, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). They turned aside from God’s approved route of salvation.
PRINCIPLE:
Man’s turning from God is deliberate and willful.
APPLICATION:
Men in general willfully turn from the will and truth of God. They want their own way and their own viewpoint on life. They spurn His love and refuse His counsel.
Isa 1:2-4, 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3 The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” 4 Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward.
Is 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
The first step in becoming a Christian is to acknowledge that we fall short of the absolute righteousness of God. That drives us to the death of Christ for our sin. When a person believes His sacrifice was sufficient, he or she becomes a Christian.
