“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.” – Ephesians 2:1-2 NIV
Can you picture a dead man walking?
We have seen the phenomenon of the ‘Walking Dead’ displayed in fictional works. Because of that, when we think about dead people still doing things that only the living should do, we immediately imagine zombies. However, there are walking dead all around us. We interact with them daily.
The Bible makes it clear that anyone who doesn’t believe in the gospel and hasn’t accepted Christ as Lord, still lives in sin and is dead. It doesn’t matter that they possess all the characteristics of a living human.
This death we speak of is not physical but a spiritual death, which is separation from our source, God. According to our anchor scripture, we were all dead in sin until we received the spirit of God.
We were dead in sin, meaning sin was lord over our lives, and we couldn’t help but sin. In Romans 7:23, Paul explains that he wants to do what is right, but an inner mechanism pushes him to do wrong. That is a vivid example of the death we speak of – a nature that is naturally predisposed to sin.
It explains why, without help from Christ and His holy spirit, people who want to do good and obey God’s commandments find it difficult and fail many times.
If a dog wakes up tomorrow and learns that barking is a sin, what would you expect from the dog? Do you think the dog would be able to resist barking? Certainly not! Therefore, laws, rules, and regulations cannot save a man from sin, as sin is man’s nature ( inherent in every man).
And for that reason, Jesus came to die for us. Without Christ, we are helpless against sin. Apostle Paul vividly portrays this spiritual reality in Ephesians 2:1-5, stating,
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked… But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Brethren, this is the beauty of the Gospel – the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. While we were dead in our sins, God, in His infinite mercy and love, reconciled us to Himself (Romans 5: 8). Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we received the gift of salvation and spiritual rebirth.
Dear believers, let us embrace this life in Christ. For by believing in Christ and accepting His sacrifice, we receive a new nature – not of sin, but of eternal life.
Hallelujah!
Bible Reading Plan: Mark 5:1-24