total depravity of man

Last week I had 3-day training and met new guys from other companies as well. On second day of training, I went home with a guy from Malaysia. He likes sports as I do, and ask me "Do you bet?" I said No. He then said, "Oh, you're a good guy!"

It seems clear that he knows the standard of good in this case. But, why he doesn't practise it? There's always gap between what man knows and what man does. God created us in His image, and He gave us conscience as our own judge against our wrong deeds. We know up to certain level the standard of good and evil. However, since the fall of man, conscience is the one who is most affected. Conscience would affect thought, and thought affects action. When conscience has fallen into sin, man can not do good things, that is total depravity of man.

However, the total depravity of man does not mean there's nothing good left inside man. Man as an essence is still God's creature. Man still has God's representative inside every people, which is conscience. Conscience avoids people become worsen, conscience makes people thinks twice before they commit an offence. Conscience as general revelation is also reflected to human law. However, conscience is not the standard since everyone would have different standard.

Why man can not do what he knows good? That is Paul's struggle in Romans chapter 7 (esp Rm 7:19). Every man has his sinful nature. An unbeliever, who does not have Holy Spirit cannot control his sinful nature. Although he is an educated person, but his flesh is weak, his sinful desires would control his thought and action. Often we heard that parliament members have an affair with his secretary or prostitutes. Don't they know that the action is against of moral value of society? It seems that common grace still exists clearly in society system in Indonesia, not like Western who even agreed homosexuality by law in some states. Common grace seems being neglected even more in Western country nowadays.

I think I don't have time to elaborate further now. I'm sleepy.
Anyway a little update, I have been offered for Master coursework part time. Deadline is this Friday, I am thinking to accept due to my calling. I want to have more "flexible" calling, so whenever God gives clear calls, my qualification would not be a problem.

capenya

Whoaaa... capenya... ga kebayang gimana cape-nya Pak Tong yang cuman tidur 4 jam sehari, ini tidur 8 jam ajah masih ngomel2... >.<...I'm trying to read few books. Quite surprised with my sudden mood to read books. I finished reading 2 books within less a week!! NEW RECORD by JETAN.. yayyy!!

I dont know what book should I read, I cant read English fast!!.. my Indonesian books are limited..huaaa... someone who borrows my book, please return dong, esp yang Indonesia.. tapi, gpp deh ada kelas Soter tiap selasa kamis yang bisa fulfil my need within this month =D..

*GEJE MODE*

Baptism Day

Today there was sacrament during service. Few people were baptized, SIDI, and atestasi. Remembering half year a go when I experienced this sacrament, my heart was full of praise and thanks. My spirit zeals and long for Lord. After half year past, I'm not sure how that day affects me.

To my brothers and sisters who received sacrament today. May you all be faithful in journey. We are witnesses today, and would be your witnesses for your journey... till the END...