Saved By Grace (1) – Dead In Sin [Bible Teaching]

I have heard on countless occasions some preachers say that sinners are good people who make wrong choices in life. Yes, we agree that people can make some good choices contrary to the depraved condition of man in Adam but on the whole, anyone who is outside Christ is dead in sin. They are not good people making wrong choices. They are sinners exhibiting their true nature. The reason why a sinner can even do any modicum of good is because of the conscience given to them by God.

Today, I want us to look at this truth about all sinners who are outside of Christ. The way to evangelize the lost is to tell them their true nature as sinners and then present Christ to them. What does the Bible say about sinners? Who are they and what can they do?

The apostle Paul writing to the church at Ephesus said this,

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." (Ephesians 2:1‭-‬3 NKJV)

The church at Ephesus like the church today needs to understand what God has done for us in Christ. A total misunderstanding of who we were and who sinners are will not afford us the opportunity to preach the true gospel of Christ to them.

According to Paul, the sinner in Adam, act according to his true nature in the following terms: 

• WORLDLY: ‘walked according to the course of this world.’

• SATANIC CONTROL: ‘according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,’

• LUSTFUL: ‘among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,’

• CHILDREN OF WRATH: ‘and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others’.

Dear Christian, do not rejoice and rub it in on them. Remember that we were once like them (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We all came from this Adamic nature that controlled our desires and actions (Romans 5:12; 6:15-16). The sinner is by nature lost and bound for hell.

If you go out to preach the gospel, note that your testimony is to tell unbelievers that you were once like them but you are no more. Moreso, quit telling them they are good but they make wrong choices. Tell them the above truth. If you are an unbeliever reading this, understand that no one is righteous before God (Romans 3:10-12; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3).

What then can the sinner do to be saved from this unfortunate news? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You will only bring your stinking sinful uncontrolled dead body to the table. It will take only God who can supernaturally call forth dead Lazarus to life (John 11:38-44). 

How can a sinner be saved? We shall look at that soon.

Grace & peace to you.

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