Ephesians: Tear Down These WallsSampl

Author Henry Miller once said, “Death in life … that’s the only death. That’s the real death. Not this death when you depart the body, but being dead while you’re alive. That’s real death, I think.” 

Of course, what he was referring to was the type of “death” that is manifest in not fully living, not living to your full potential, not enjoying life. You can be living, but not alive! 

The band Rise Against put it this way: “simply because you can breathe, doesn’t mean you’re alive, or that you really live.”

The Bible would agree, albeit for different reasons. We can be very much alive, breathing, living, and at the same time be spiritually dead. That’s how Paul diagnoses the human condition. Aside from the supernatural intervention of the Spirit, we are dead. Dead because of our sin. 

Ooft! We don’t like that. Our postmodern spines shudder a little. Surely the view of secular humanism is better. People are good. Morality is culturally defined. 

Sadly, however, secular humanism is far too optimistic about the human condition. How can we explain that nothing in this world seems to be the way it should?

As with every problem, an accurate diagnosis is essential to finding an appropriate solution. Paul’s diagnosis is clear: humanity’s greatest problem is sin. We have knowingly and voluntarily rejected God our maker. 

Without this understanding, we will never feel the need to receive grace, nor appreciate the beauty of our Saviour. 

Without this, we will be overly optimistic about people, and bitterly disappointed when they let us down. 

But with it, we will have a realistic view of the world we live in, and see the necessity of a Saviour. It’s against the blackness of our sin that the gospel shines brightest.