We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:3-5 WEB

Paul opens the second chapter of his letter to the Ephesians reminding the faithful of their salvation from their former fallen state. It is by the grace of God, who is rich in mercy, that we no longer offend our Creator. The blood of Jesus cleanses each of us and makes us suitable to the service and worship of the Father.

Paul is reflecting on his carnal life and the service to the flesh each of us participate in to one degree or another before coming to Christ. Before salvation, every human seeks to please themselves rather than pleasing God. Prior to being convicted of our sin, we were tossed about like ships on a stormy sea by our whims and carnal desires.

Children of Wrath

Calling the unrepentant “children of wrath,” Paul indicates that the natural, sinful state of a man is under God’s judgment. However, for repentant sinners, the Lord is rich in mercy. This is why the Lord sends us out into the world to share the good news of his gospel. In our fallen state, men are natural enemies of God, living in rebellion to the righteousness of our Creator. As Christ said in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. WEB”

Christ makes clear that God desires to restore man to right standing with him saying in John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. KJV” This is the richness of love and mercy that Paul writes about in Ephesians, making certain his readers understand that salvation is through the grace of God and nothing we could achieve on our own.

Yesterday’s Devotional; You Will Understand