Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1-5

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 craving of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.

Scripture Commentary:

The fact that all people, without exception, commit sin proves that without Christ we have a sinful nature. We are lost in sin and cannot save ourselves.

Does this mean only Christians do good? Of course not.  Many people do good things and are kind to others. On a relative scale, many are moral, kind, and law-abiding. Comparing these people to criminals, we would say they are very good indeed.

But on God’s absolute scale, no one is good enough to earn salvation. Only through being united in Christ’s perfect life can we become good in God’s sight. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots. We will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin.

The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that our bodies will also be raised from the dead, and that we have been given the power to live as Christians. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, not guilty before God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2