"We Were Dead in Trespasses and Sins"

 

Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you hath HE quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

     Every Christian has an inglorious past. Before trusting in JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR, we were totally alienated from GOD and from everything that is good and acceptable in HIS sight. It is rather strange, then, that some believers seem to pride themselves in their previous sinful exploits or revel in their former worldly pursuits and achievements. The Apostle Paul had the right perspective when he said concerning past deeds, "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed ?" (Romans 6:21 pictured above). Prior to salvation, the child of GOD was on an equal plane with every other hell-bound sinner: "dead in trespasses and sins" (v.1). When we consider the sinful deeds of the past, we have nothing in which to find glory or to fondly recall. It is so sad when the believer allows the flesh to lure him back to "the course of this world."

     In our former unregenerate state, we were, in reality, the "walking dead" with respect to all things spiritual. We were helplessly subject to the course of this world (v.2a), the god of this world (v.2b), and or own sinful flesh (v.3). We could do nothing to ingratiate ourselves to GOD; no form of religious activity or altruistic endeavor could draw us closer to HIM. Nothing in us could please the LORD whatsoever ! We were, by our very nature, "the children of wrath" (v.3 cf. John 3:36 pictured above). As unsaved sinners, we "fulfill[ed] the desires of the flesh" (v.3). Yes, the lost can find a measure of gratification in pursuing the riches, pleasures, and accomplishments of the world - Satan will certainly see to that, for he "worketh in (enables, empowers) his own (v.2). But sadly, they are destined for GOD's wrath (v.3) - an eternity in the Lake of Fire. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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