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By nature children of wrath.

Beloved,

"...who were by nature children of wrath."  That is a terrifying place to be.  That was where we were, and it is only by the Grace (unmerited favor) of God that we are otherwise.  This should not be a thing of pride, but of the utmost humility, as all around us the terrible evils of the world are being more and more manifest, and even as we would condemn them, we should take care and consider that in condemning them we condemn ourselves.  God is Just, and has every right to condemn us, yet He is Merciful, and turned us from the way of death, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

In Him,

~Al



And you hath he revived, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
In which in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Among whom also we all had our manner of life 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. Eph 2:1-3 
 
 
All men by nature alike
1. The chosen of God have, before conversion, nothing differing from other sinners. Even those whom God takes to mercy were sinful as others, before by His grace they are changed. And why?
(1) That the mercy of God may be magnified, and made manifest in the free grace of justification.
(2) That love may be engendered in us who have been justified. Mary, who had many sins forgiven, loved much.
2. Where there is no fear of God, no outward privileges will procure us His favor. When God's people do not obey Him, their circumcision is made uncircumcision. How can this be, seeing the one profess the true God, while the other does not?
(1) In deeds they deny Him.
(2) In deeds they set up false gods—their lusts, pleasures, riches, etc.
3. We must not be ashamed to confess ourselves sinners with the worst. The most upright are most forward in confession. It is the proper fruit of grace, to freely confess and give glory to God.
4. By nature the state of all is such that God's wrath abides on them.
(1) We are born separated from God.
(2) We are given up to Satan.
(3) Subject to every curse in this life, whether spiritual or corporal.
(4) To death temporal.
(5) To death eternal.
5. By nature all of us are sinful; not only in regard of Adam's sin imputed, but of corruption or concupiscence[1] with which we are conceived (Psa 51:5; Psa 58:3; Gen 8:21; Eze 16:4-6; Isa 53:6; Isa 1:4).
6. Even the children of the godly are by nature children of wrath. (Paul Bayne.)

[1] A strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust

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