Ephesians 2:1-3

New International Version

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.

For Meditation

Until we apprehend the extent of our spiritual bankruptcy before Jesus—the depth and cruelty of sin and our depravity, we cannot appreciate Jesus and His sacrifice for the redemption of our souls. Our faith will be shallow, and our worship fickle. Our tendency is towards nominalism, careless living, and adultery, like the people of Israel and Judah, whom God chastised in Ezekiel 16. Therefore, Paul, after laying out our spiritual blessings in Christ in Ephesians 1:3-23, finds it essential to remind us of our spiritual bankruptcy before Christ found us (2:1-3). In this passage, Paul holds a huge color photograph of every unbeliever and their spiritual condition before salvation, saying, let that remind you of your past and instruct you to walk right with your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. I have looked at mine and can testify that it is ugly.

First, I saw myself as a corpse in an open coffin—dead in my transgressions and sins (v.1). Though physically alive, I was spiritually dead because of my sinful nature from Adam (Gen 3). I implore you to look at yours, dear reader. Just as a physically dead person cannot feel anything, we, too, had no spiritual sensitivity before Calvary, and that is the spiritual condition of every unbeliever.

Second, I was a rebel and disobedient against God (vv. 2-3). Like you, I followed the ways of this world—the world’s value system and ideologies, which are humanistic and averse to God. Satan was my master, and I did his bidding like every unbeliever, enjoying my sinful choices, satisfying the cravings of the flesh, and following its desires and propositions. What a perfect candidate for God’s wrath, which I clearly deserved. God’s penalty for sin, death—eternal separation from Him—awaited me for eternity (Rom. 6:23).

Paul’s photo prompts self-reflection for all—saved and unsaved alike—revealing our utter helplessness before Christ. We were powerless to change ourselves; salvation had to come from outside, beyond our capabilities. The tragedy? Everyone shared this condition—who could save whom? Thank God it’s not the end. Help is on the way. Indeed, it is already here and freely offered, as we will learn in tomorrow’s message.

Do you realize why we must appreciate Christ and our salvation? Can you have a better appreciation of the Great Commission now? Does this photograph give you a sensitive heart for the unbeliever? What is God calling you to do after a good look at this self-revealing photograph of the spiritual condition of the unbeliever from the Holy Spirit?

Pray with Me

Father, I see the horrific picture of myself before Christ and fall before you in appreciation and thanksgiving, eschewing pride of any kind. Please help me never to forget this, that I can live for you and tell others about Christ. In His name, amen.

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