None/No one:

The Bible uses this and other collective terms in some unusual ways.  For example, collective terms are often used as a “representative set.”  Here is one example: “we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.’” (Rom 3:9-12)

Taken by itself, this passage and others like it is sometimes used to say that humans are not only depraved, but that this is the only possible situation for human beings, even after salvation.  Thus, they conclude, a concept of “victory over sin” is an ideal at best, and a delusion that steals hope, at worst.   But those who think this have simply never experienced true freedom before; and they compound their problem by using their past experience to judge not only the promises of Scripture, but also the experiences of others who have accepted those promises.

Although Paul says “no one” in the passage from Romans 3, he does not mean “no one under any circumstances,” for we need only keep reading to see his own qualifier: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Yahshua the Messiah unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference [between Jew and Gentile].  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Yahshua.” (verses 21-24)  Paul goes on to explain that by the law all are guilty, and none may be made right by a decision now to keep the Law (if such a thing were even possible).  It is only by faith that we may both be justified and obey.

Nevertheless, although none may be justified by the law, and none of themselves seek after Yah, the Scriptures do speak of those who seek the Almighty. “Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek Yahweh their Elohim, and David their king; and shall fear Yahweh and His goodness in the latter days.” (Hos 3:5)  Promises are offered to those who seek, “for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6)  Christ instructs us to “seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33)

This is not a contradiction, it merely incorporates the idea of Grace, which we studied last month, and makes note of the fact that because of this gift we have the opportunity to be drawn to Yah’s character and seek Him.