Verse for today – “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest (Eph. 2:3).”

Mankind faces a fundamental question; who will decide right from wrong? Is there really any such thing as evil and who decides what thoughts, words, and activities are hurtful? As mentioned earlier, America now seems to hear a new drumbeat: “It is all up to you! Follow your heart! Do what feels good. Do what feels right to you.” The problem is that man has journeyed far from God and, according to the Bible, men’s and women’s hearts are no longer in tune with HIM. Instead, our tendencies are selfish. Our desires are less than noble. And our hearts often choose a course that God rejects.

Today’s verse summarizes the Bible’s teaching that all humanity is born with and engaged in something God calls sin, AND as a result of this sin, we deserve God’s wrath and rejection. The Bible makes it clear that God is holy, and sin cannot exist in His presence. The Bible also declares that ALL HAVE SINNED. The only exception is Jesus Himself.

Dear Reader, your first step toward a new life is to understand your need for a Savior. All human beings owe a moral debt to God. Let’s say a young man gets extremely drunk and runs into your daughter, killing her instantly. He owes you and your family, AND GOD, an enormous debt. Sin is irresponsible behavior toward God, and others, and requires justice! This moral requirement, or debt, must be satisfied for any man or woman’s relationship with God to be restored. I urge you to stop and pray right now and ask God to be merciful to you! Ask Him to help you see your own brokenness, sin, and need. I have met a few people in life who told me they never sinned. Only a few make this claim. More often I meet those who say their sin is small and does not deserve or require any justice. I find in my own life a tendency to downplay my sin rather than let God fully expose it and deal with its terrible origins—origins down deep in my heart. ONLY when we humble our hearts before God and acknowledge that we are sinners in need of forgiveness, can we take the next step described in the next two verses of Ephesians. Praise God, we will begin that journey tomorrow!