"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1).
Before completing our study of John 3, let us explore what it means to be born again in more detail. Unfortunately, the doctrine of regeneration has become distorted beyond biblical recognition in many Christian circles. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, many in the church have failed to understand the profound implications of being born again because they have lost a biblical understanding of the condition of humanity. They no longer see people as dead in sin, and therefore unable to choose Christ on their own. Yet, to understand Jesus’ teaching in John 3, we must understand the doctrine of man—that he has lost all ability to be holy. Today we will examine this doctrine as a foundation for understanding regeneration.
Before the fall, Adam and Eve were able to love God, to follow His laws, to live in purity and innocence. But since they sinned, all mankind has lost this original righteousness. In Romans 3, Paul affirms the Old Testament teaching that no person is good, that no one seeks God, that all are wicked and have gone astray.
Ephesians 2 puts this especially graphically: “And you … were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you walked according to the course of this world, … and were by nature children of wrath.” (v. 1–3). This is the condition of man, and man will remain that way until God takes the initiative to make us alive. This is Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians 2:1, that “He made alive” those who were dead in trespasses and sins.
We were not sick in need of some help, we were not floating on top of the water waiting to grab hold of a life preserver, but we were dead. And only by the power of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, can we be made alive again. Until that happens, we love our sin, we follow the desires of our hearts, and we hide from God. Because this is our condition, we cannot save ourselves. We cannot even put our faith in Christ unless that faith is graciously given to us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
Can a corpse take any action to save himself? Before God changed your heart, you were spiritually dead. Meditate on this truth for a few minutes. Sinners are totally dependent upon God for their salvation. Unless He chooses to change their hearts, they will remain dead. Praise God for the mercy and grace He has shown you.
