A Verse
Ephesians 2:1-3
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
A Comment
Paul does not pull any punches in his description of our condition apart from God. We were dead in trespasses and sins. What is sin? Sin is rejecting or ignoring the creator God. It is rebellion against God which manifests itself in a life without reference to him. It is the breaking of God’s law. It is the refusal to be what God has made us to be in His image. And the result of sin in this world is death and destruction.
The world in which we live is plagued; it is broken by sin. It does not work as God intended it because sin has damaged us and estranged us from God. When we walked in sin, we followed the course of this world, living in submission to the Devil, the Spirit of disobedience. And it was not just that we chose to live this way, it was our nature to do so, according to verse 3. “By nature, we were children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
Our sin, both by nature and by choice has destined us for wrath. For judgment. For destruction. We were the walking dead. Judgment was our destination. We were not simply weak and “needing a hand.” We were not simply struggling to get by. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. Not almost dead, but dead. Powerless. Unable to save ourselves. We lacked the ability to save ourselves. We had no interest in saving ourselves. This is our condition apart from God.
A Prayer
O’ Lord, give us clear eyes to see our need for Your grace. Apart from You, we can do nothing. But You give more grace! You are rich in mercy toward us because of Jesus. Thank You for not leaving us in such a dreadful condition. Thank You for Your grace! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Blessing
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Our Condition Apart from God