Our passage today is Ephesians 2:1-3. In these verses, Paul paints a serious picture of our relationship with a Holy God before we are saved. None of us can say like Switzerland in World War II, “I’m neutral.” We are sinners. As sinners, we have been drafted into the battle. And before you met Christ, you were on the wrong side.
Here is how Paul describes you before conversion: You were dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air. You were a son of disobedience who lived in the passions of the flesh. You were “by nature, children of wrath.”
The Bible is clear about our standing before our conversion. It’s hard to swallow though. Because of God’s holiness and our sin, it’s definitely a “if you’re not for me, you’re against me” scenario. In order to go from children of wrath to children of God’s, we must waive the white flag and surrender.
You probably have coworkers, friends, and family members who are still on the wrong side. I know the pain this causes. We must remember they are held captive by the prince of the power of the air! As we will study later in Ephesians, our battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12), not against coworkers, friends or family members! Continue to pray for them. When they do something or sinful, remember they are being deceived. Focus your anger not on them, but against the enemy who holds them captive. My husband often reminds me, “You can’t expect lost people to act like saved people.”
Praise God He doesn’t leave us in our sin, as children of wrath! Come back tomorrow as Kristi picks up with verse four which starts, “But God….”
Oh Sandra, I love this! Thank you for reminding us who our battle is against. It’s vital that we remember who our enemy is.
Sandra ~ Great post! So thankful for every “but God” moment of my life and that He took the wretched soul I was and made me accepted in the Beloved. Only through Him could that ever be possible! What an awesome God!
I agree about the power of this realization: “…our battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12), not against coworkers, friends or family members!”
This is so, so important to remember. And, I’m thankful that this is true, as I am still imperfect as well. Thank you for the reminder.