The issue is whether the depraved state of man keeps him from being able to respond to God, especially to believe the words that are said to bring salvation. If depravity means inability to believe, then it would depend upon God entirely, and the unsaved man can not be accountable, since he can not respond. Even the concept of the “age of accountability” is meaningless, since there is no ability to be responsive to God, and thus accountability is impossible regardless of the mental development of a child.
I would say that such depravity speaks of only moral inability and separation from God but not inability to respond to God, this is why the contrast in Scripture concerning the way of salvation is between faith and works. One can not be saved by works because of depravity, but one can be saved by faith. Faith can only save us because of what God has provided and promised.
Some examples…
Jonah 1.1-2 The Ninevites had reached a degree of evil that God said judgment was their appointment … Jonah was sent to announce that coming judgment, but they believed the message and was delivered from destruction: 3.1-10.
They responded to God. The account said that they “believed God.” Jesus said they repented at the preaching of Jonah: Mat 12.41. They believed the word of God and repented.
John MacArthur says: Because we were dead to God, we were dead to truth, righteousness, peace, happiness, and every other good thing, no more capable to respond to God than a cadaver. … Unregenerate sinners are spiritual zombies, death-walkers, unable to understand the gravity of their situation. Pink says: as a sinner he is responsible to repent and believe the gospel. But at the outset, we are confronted with the fact … that the sinner, of himself, cannot repent and believe.
What about Cornelius? Acts 10.1-6: His profile is that of one who feared God, but was he saved at that time? He was to send for Peter for answers. Acts 11.13-14 is Peter’s retelling of his mission to Cornelius that he would tell him “words by which you will be saved.”
This also shows the connection between certain words believed and salvation. Salvation does not come apart from certain words and faith in those words. Consider Acts 10.43: whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
The parable of the sower reveals the role of words and faith--which Satan know--Luke 8.11-12. The parable sets forth the fact that if one hears the word but does not understand it, Satan acts to remove it. Surely this is by distraction and deception, so that...lest they believe and are saved.
Depravity speaks of moral failure and moral inability, and thus why we can not be saved by works. It does not speak of an inability to respond to God. If it did, then all appeals to respond to God would be pointless. God does not call people to respond by keeping the law but believing the word of God.
God gave his word that people might be taught by it, and through it draw them to Christ and salvation through faith in him.
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