God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes

We all know the history of Genesis, that moment when God created the heavens and the earth, the animals, the plants and of course, man. The Bible reveals to us that God created man in the image and likeness of God, but later on he disobeys the divine command and sins against God, and in this way sin is transferred to all humanity and therefore death.

The Bible also tells us that the thoughts of men were continuous evil. King David also tells us in the book of Psalms that all had rebelled, that there was no one to do good, and this Paul mentions again in his letter to the Romans. So, man from the beginning, despite being right facts, they turned aside and inclined towards evil.

Solomon also tells us a bit about this when he says in the book of Ecclesiastes:

27 “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered:
“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things—
28 while I was still searching
but not finding—
I found one upright man among a thousand,
but not one upright woman among them all.
29 This only have I found:
God created mankind upright,
but they have gone in search of many schemes.”
Ecclesiastes 7:27-29

The preacher tells us something of which the whole Bible also speaks to us and is about the total depravity of man. Actually man has deviated by abhorring the good, even Christ came to die for us, worked miracles, did feats never before seen, however, the Bible says: He came to his own, and his own did not receive him (John 1:11).

Dear brothers, even though we are totally depraved, Christ makes us accepted through His great sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and this is what drives us to live a life in full holiness and not do the things that displease God. Let’s seek God with all our heart and give glory to His mighty Name.

When we examine the narrative of Genesis more carefully, we understand that the fall of man was not just a single act of disobedience, but the beginning of a spiritual condition that marked every generation. Adam and Eve’s decision opened the door to a battle that all humanity would face: the struggle between obeying God or following our own desires. This reality continues today. Every human being is confronted with the same tendency to depart from God’s perfect ways and pursue paths that seem right but ultimately lead to destruction.

Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals how deeply rooted this inclination toward evil became. The days of Noah are another example where the earth was filled with corruption and violence. The Bible says that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. This shows that humanity, without the intervention of divine grace, naturally drifts toward sin. Yet, even in those dark moments, God always preserved a remnant, demonstrating His mercy and His desire to restore mankind.

The words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes reinforce this truth. When he states that God created mankind upright, he reminds us that sin was not part of God’s original design. Humanity was created to reflect God’s holiness, to live in communion with Him, and to display His character. However, Solomon also recognizes that humans have abandoned that uprightness and created countless schemes, ideas, and systems that pull them away from God. This is not a description meant to condemn without hope, but rather a call to humility, to acknowledge our need for God’s redemption.

In the New Testament, this message becomes even clearer through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Though humanity rejected Him, as John 1:11 teaches, Christ still offered salvation freely. His death on the cross was the greatest act of love and restoration, making it possible for fallen and depraved humanity to be reconciled with God. Through His sacrifice, we are no longer defined by the fall of Genesis but by the grace revealed at Calvary.

Today, this truth continues to transform lives. Understanding our natural state without God should not lead us to despair, but to dependence on His mercy. His Spirit enables us to walk in holiness, resist sin, and grow in obedience. The more we acknowledge our weakness, the more we can appreciate the greatness of His salvation. Let us then live with gratitude, seeking daily to honor the One who rescued us from darkness and brought us into His wonderful light.

May this reflection remind us that although humanity has drifted far from God since the beginning, His grace is greater than our fall. Through Christ we are renewed, restored, and empowered to walk in righteousness. Let us continue seeking Him with all our heart, knowing that His mercy endures forever.