The Fallen State
Scripture
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Dead in Trespasses and Sins
God quickened those who were dead in trespasses and sins. He had to, because to be spiritually dead is to be under complete control of the flesh. It means being incapable of doing anything good (Romans 3:12). Jesus said it means to be a slave of sin: “… Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34).
A dead man can do nothing. Not to be morbid, but if you have ever looked into a coffin, the absolute stillness of the deceased is striking to the point of being disturbing. In the same way, the unregenerate are incapable of doing anything to merit salvation. This is total depravity.
Directed by the Prince of the Power of the Air
Evidence of our depravity was displayed in how we lived our lives. Not that we were as sinful as we could have been. Societal norms along with civil and criminal laws curbed our lustful desires. However, our motivation in the end was always to please ourselves. As Paul wrote, we had no place for God in our lives.
“THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE” (Romans 3:11-12).
This spiritual depravity allowed us to walk in the course of this world without realizing our bondage. The world system is under the guidance of the prince of the power of the air. Therefore, we lived our lives in a state of spiritual blindness. It took a miracle of grace to open our eyes and ears because we were children of wrath.
Denounced as Children of Wrath
A child of wrath is under God's condemnation. As it was written: “… Because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation” (Romans 2:5-8). Thankfully, God has been gracious to those who are known by Him, called according to His purpose.
Declared Righteous
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:4-9).
Dearly beloved of God, give thanks for the miracle that removed your stony heart. Never think you deserved to be saved. You were not chosen for your righteous works, but because of a divine love.
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