Because every person is a son of Adam with a sin-bent nature, and the Holy Spirit must make us aware that we are sinners as the very first step of faith.
Les Feldick teaches that our root problem is not what we do but who we are: sons of Adam, born with a sin-bent personality. Since we naturally think we are good enough, the Holy Spirit convicts us through the Law and the Word, showing us that we have all sinned and need God's remedy.
Romans 3:23 — This verse states that all have sinned, which is the truth the Holy Spirit brings to our hearts as the beginning point of faith.
The Bible declares, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is the central fact the Holy Spirit uses to convict the lost of their need. It applies to every person ever born into the human race, with the exception of Christ Himself. Romans 8:5 also contrasts those who are after the flesh with those who are after the Spirit. Those who are after the flesh "mind the things of the flesh," while those after the Spirit mind "the things of the Spirit." The same chapter promises that the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies when He dwells in us (Romans 8:11).
Les Feldick points out that the Holy Spirit's work is to move on an unsaved person, convicting him by the Law that he cannot save himself. The root problem is not what we do but who we are: sons of Adam, born with a sin-bent personality. Therefore the first thing a person must believe is what God says about him — that he is a sinner and has fallen short. Les calls this "the first step of faith" on the road to salvation. The Holy Spirit works on the dormant dead spirit within us, making us pay attention to what God has to say, and showing us that the gospel — Christ's death in our place — is the only remedy.
Les Feldick says the very first step is to realize we are sinners. He begins with Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." The first thing we must believe is what God says about us — that regardless of how good we may be, we are sinners. This is not about our works; it is about who we are as sons of Adam. Many people think they are good enough, but this is the first step they must take.
The Holy Spirit begins to work on the dormant dead spirit with which each of us is born. He makes entrance into our thought processes and convicts us that we are sinners, that we have broken the Law, and that the gospel is the only remedy. Paul explains in Romans 8 that the Holy Spirit is the one who does something to make us pay attention to what God has to say, even though we naturally mind the things of the flesh.
Les teaches that the first part of salvation is to recognize that we need something. He says we need to recognize what God says about us — that we are sons of Adam, sinners, and a fallen race. Because we cannot do the Law on our own, the Holy Spirit convicts men of their need. Once a person realizes he has sinned and broken the Law, he is ready to see that Christ died in his place.
The Spirit Makes Us Pay Attention
Les explains in Romans 8 that the Holy Spirit does something to make us pay attention to what God has to say, even though we naturally mind the things of the flesh.
Sons of Adam with a Sin-Bent Nature
Every baby is born in the same fallen place as Adam with a sin-bent personality, so the Holy Spirit convicts men of their need because they cannot save themselves.
First Step of Faith Is Believing You Are a Sinner
Les says believing what God says about us — that we are sinners and sons of Adam — is the first step of faith, and then God declares we can be justified freely.
God Says I'm a Sinner
Salvation begins with faith, and the first thing we must believe is what God says about us: regardless of how good we are or where our family came from, we have already sinned.
The Spirit Convicts Us That We Are Sinners
When the Holy Spirit begins to work on our dormant dead spirit, He convicts us that we have sinned and broken the Law, and that Christ died in our place.
Recognize That We Need Something
The first part of salvation is recognizing what God says about us — that we are sons of Adam, sinners, and a fallen race.
Spirit Enters Our Thought Processes
The Holy Spirit enters our thought processes, convicts us that we are sinners and sons of Adam, and shows us that the gospel is the only remedy.
Start with Realizing You Are a Sinner
When leading someone to salvation, Les says the very first step on the Roman road is realizing we are sinners, because even good people need to recognize this.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This verse is the foundational declaration that every person is a sinner, which is the truth the Spirit brings to our hearts as the first step of faith.
Romans 8:5: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
This shows why the Spirit is needed: those who are only in the flesh are focused on fleshly things and need the Spirit to make them pay attention to God.
Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
This connects the Spirit's indwelling with the same power that raised Jesus, showing what happens when the Spirit works in a person's life.
Because we are sons of Adam with a sin-bent nature, and we naturally think we are good enough. The Spirit convicts us so we will take the first step of faith: believing what God says about us, that we are sinners who have fallen short.
Les says the first step of faith is to believe that we are sinners, as Romans 3:23 declares. This is what God says about us, and until we accept that, we will not turn to the gospel as the only remedy.
The Holy Spirit works on the dormant dead spirit within us. He makes entrance into our thought processes, convicts us by the Law that we have sinned and need something we cannot do on our own, and makes us pay attention to what God has to say.
No. Les teaches that there are many good people, but they still need to realize they are sinners. The first step on the road to salvation is recognizing what God says about us: that we are sinners and sons of Adam.