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The Apostle Paul painted in Eph. 2:1-3 a very bleak and hopeless picture of mankind’s condition in his time. He described everyone as dead through their trespasses and sins, being immersed in the world’s system; following satan and becoming children of disobedience. This condition is still true for us today. We live in a fallen world lusting in the flesh. The “tip of the iceberg” condition is shown by many examples of adulteries, sexual immorality and wrong doings freely committed by famous sports personalities and entertainment celebrities.
Unfortunately, there are also Christians who, by unbiblical reasoning and rationalisation, are committing the same sin. To add to the contemporary evil that the modern world has placed on mankind, there is the constant pursuit of materialism and over-indulgence in activities that nourishes only human pride. Ultimately, that has become the reason for their living thus nullifying their love for God and His authority over them. We are by nature children of wrath. Being caught in the sinful ways of the world, we also have become spiritually dead. Habits like smoking, drinking and gambling, sexual sins etc are the manifestations of worldliness but they are not the essence of it. It is the rebellion against God and all rightful authority under Him.
Thankfully, following Paul’s tirade of despair, he offered us some hope. God in His love showed grace and patience. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Through the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary, we are saved purely by God’s grace. Anyone who believes in Him begins to have a renewed hope and faith – like “waking up from the dead”.
For Christians today, it is useful to understand why Paul uses the words: “in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world” (Eph. 2:2). We cannot fully appreciate our position in Christ until we see where we really come from. It implies an inescapable truth that a Christian is simply one whose life must be changed by Jesus. We were dead in trespasses and sins and made alive in Christ! Examine our lives carefully and reflect on whether we are daily “alive in Christ”. Always rejoice that we are “alive creations” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)?
