As mentioned in earlier chapters, and in fact, through previous ones, the Episcopal Church often uses the right words in defining spiritual truths; unfortunately, they do not always use them in the right context. As has been pointed out through scripture, water does not save anyone to eternity. Good works do not save anyone. And no one is saved by proxy.

Paul writing to the Church at Ephesus clearly stated the condition of man and his only hope. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (Ephesians 2: 1-3).

It is a kind thought to believe that someone is truly a good person or even that we are good by nature. And there is no doubt a lot of people that do a lot of good deeds in this world. But scripture is very clear that there is no good inside the heart of sinful man. Genesis 6: 5 reads, "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts was only evil continually." Psalm 14:3 states, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no not one." Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? Paul further quotes the Psalmist in Romans 3:10-12, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They have all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." This is just a portion of scripture that shows the depravity of man.

Some may argue the depravity of man in their (self) defense but scripture is very clear that man in his original state is depraved without the regenerating Grace of God. Each man may not be depraved equally but his wholeness is corrupt and perverse without the Triune God.