And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. (vv. 1-3)

Those who are not saints wake up in the morning and spend the whole day living for themselves. What they plan and what they do are centered on themselves. Their daily activities may not appear immoral. In fact, many people have high ethical standards and live according to the moral expectations of society. They pay taxes, help their communities, and care for others. Yet they are still considered sinful by God.

Why is this so?

We often think that sin is simply a matter of breaking the law. In one sense, this is correct. As Paul explains in Romans 7, sin is not recognized as sin apart from the law. However, the law ultimately reveals much more than moral standards. It reveals the knowledge of God. The law points to God’s love displayed through the cross of Christ, and its ultimate purpose is to lead us to the knowledge of God’s grand plan for His Kingdom. This knowledge is inseparable from faith, for we cannot truly believe in God without knowing Him.

Someone may claim that they have never broken the law and have lived a morally upright life. They have never harmed anyone. They work hard, serve their community, and help their neighbors. Yet if they do not possess the knowledge of God, they are still living in sin.

With this in mind, we can confidently say that there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Neither truly knew God. Through Jesus Christ, the knowledge of God has been revealed. For this reason, Jesus is called the Word and the Truth. Therefore, whoever possesses the knowledge of God and believes in Him is saved, because ignorance of God is itself part of humanity’s sinful condition. Those who remain spiritually blind will not be saved.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (vv. 14-18)

The ultimate goal is the Kingdom of God. And the church is the Kingdom as the sole bride of God. Christ is the cornerstone.

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (vv. 19-22)

For this reason, we reject any teaching that says we are still sinners despite our faith and knowledge of God. Receiving the Holy Spirit by grace, apart from any prior merit of our own, and believing in God testify that we are no longer sinners condemned to eternal damnation. We have been set free.

We uphold the law as children of God, not because we fear that we might fall from grace, but because we know God and love Him. Our obedience is not the obedience of slaves seeking acceptance, but of sons and daughters who have already been accepted through Jesus Christ.