“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
(Ephesians 2:3)
Sin, at its core, is the transgression of God’s law, first evidenced by Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This breach of God’s covenant introduced original sin, a state of enmity with God’s holy standard, rendering all of Adam’s descendants “children of wrath” by nature (Eph. 2:3).
As Thomas Shepard remarked, “Because we were in him [Adam] as members in the head, as children in his loins… he falling, all should fall by the imputation of his sin.”[1] From conception, humanity is therefore inclined to evil, averse to spiritual good, with hearts bent toward rebellion (Eccl. 8:11; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 6:20). And original sin is the root, producing the fruit of actual sin—daily acts of disobedience that flow from our corrupted nature (Isa. 1:11; James 1:14-15).
Yet God’s sovereign will orchestrates both good and evil for His glory. We see this in Habakkuk 1:5-11 when He raised the pagan Babylonians to judge Israel’s disobedience, demonstrating His power over evil. And the ultimate example is God permitting His Son’s brutal death by the hands of wicked men (Acts 2:23), whereby He crushed Satan’s head and secured victory over death and hell (Gen. 3:15).
God’s redemptive plan demonstrates that no evil can thwart His purposes; His infinite goodness and love are more than sufficient to triumph over the darkest sin. While God cannot tolerate even the smallest transgression (Rom. 2:3), His grace is sufficient to pardon, offering redemption through Christ to those who seek Him (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:12-13).
So though we are born under wrath, Christ’s sacrifice satisfies sin’s penalty and restores us to God’s favor. His death and resurrection open the way from condemnation to redemption, whereby believers are adopted into the family of God and become sons of God by grace (Gal. 4:5). Such mercy assures us that no depth of wickedness is beyond His redeeming love. Therefore, let us respond with a life of gratitude, seeking His grace to walk in holiness.
Contemplations:
- Christ’s victory over sin. Death was the promised consequence for Adam’s breach of the Law which I inherited as his offspring. And yet Christ, having paid the price for my sin in His bitter sufferings, both of body and soul, has become my redemption from sin and victory over death. Thank You for His sacrifice, Lord, and grant me grace to live free from sin’s power as He did (Rom. 5:8; Heb. 2:14).
- Adopted by grace. Christ is God’s only begotten Son; but believers who by nature are the children of wrath can now become sons of God by adoption and grace (John 1:14; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 2:3). Lord, help me cherish this adoption with gratitude and obedience.
- Fallen in Adam. Lord, we were all guilty of the same breach of Covenant with Adam, being all in him as our head. Our souls with his were deprived of that holiness, innocence, and righteousness in which they were first created. And as a result, from the point of conception we are all marred and defiled by sin, being subject to the curse of the Fall. Grant me humility to recognize my fallenness that I may cling to Christ’s redemption.
- Need for Christ alone. It is needful for us to know these two truths. First, that we are all by nature, in and of ourselves, vile and wretched creatures, deserving nothing but death and damnation. Second, we also must know that there is no way to be saved apart from Christ, and so we receive Him, because we cannot be redeemed from sin and death apart from Him. Lord, keep me dependent on Jesus alone for salvation.
Prayer (Supplication)
O sovereign and merciful God, You are the fountain of all goodness, whose justice condemns sin and whose grace redeems through Christ. Your infinite love transforms children of wrath into sons by grace. I worship You for Your power to use evil for Your glory, as seen in Christ’s victory over Satan (Acts 2:23). Your mercy fills me with awe and gratitude.
I confess that my heart often harbors sin, failing to seek Your grace and presuming on Your mercy. Forgive me for these sins, for transgressing Your law and dishonoring Your covenant. Cleanse me through Jesus’ blood and renew my heart to live holy before You.
Lord, I plead for grace to live as one redeemed from wrath. Help me cling to Christ’s sacrifice, knowing He conquered both sin and death. Fill me with gratitude for Your salvation, help me recognize my fallenness, and empower me to walk in holiness until I stand in Your eternal presence.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Ephesians 2:3:
Rom. 5:12; Gal. 5:16; Psalm 51:5; Gen. 5:3.
[1] Thomas Shepard, The First Principles of the Oracles of God (London: Printed for John Rothwel, 1655), 9.
