God's Word to the Wise

The Bible teaches that all humanity is born spiritually dead, a state of separation from God caused by sin. This spiritual death is a universal condition, meaning people are born in a sinful state and are unable to please God or save themselves apart from divine intervention. Because of this spiritual deadness, individuals are seen as incapable of saving themselves or even of understanding spiritual things without God’s help.

Ephesians 2:1 and Ephesians 2:5 are key passages, stating that people “were dead in Their trespasses and sins” before being “made alive with Christ” by God’s grace.

Romans 6:23 states that “the wages of sin is death”. This death is understood to be both spiritual and ultimately physical, a consequence of the original sin of Adam.

Romans 5:12 explains that “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned”.

Colossians 2:13a “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him…”

I like to use the account in (John 11:38-44) of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead to show our spiritual condition and the need for divine help. Jesus told the men to roll away the stone to the entrance of the cave where Lazarus’ body had been entombed. After this Jesus shouted, “Lazarus come out.”

What was necessary for Lazarus to hear and obey Jesus’ command? He had to be made alive. He was dead. Could he make himself alive? No, it required the one who had the power over death to first make him alive so he could hear and obey the command to “Come out.”

This is necessary for us who are spiritually dead. The Holy Spirit must first make us spiritually alive (Divine intervention) before we can obey the command to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Without this supernatural act of grace no one could be saved.