Spiritually Dead?

Q: Where does Scripture say unsaved humans are spiritually dead?

A: Good question.

The New Testament frequently discusses the concept of the unsaved being spiritually dead, often using metaphors and symbolism to convey this idea. Here are some key passages:

• Genesis 2:17:

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

*They died spiritually the moment they ate it, and would physically die as well.

• Ephesians 2:1-5: This passage explicitly states that people are "dead in trespasses and sins" before spiritual rebirth through Christ. It emphasizes the state of spiritual separation from God and the need for divine intervention.

• Colossians 2:13: This verse reinforces the idea of being "dead in your trespasses and sins" and highlights the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, which brings spiritual life.

• Romans 5:12: This verse connects physical death to spiritual death, tracing the origin of both to Adam's sin. It underscores the universal impact of sin on humanity, leading to spiritual separation from God.

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• Jesus speaks about being born again in the Gospel of John 3:3:

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

*Born from Above. Given spiritual life from God.

These passages, along with others throughout the NT, paint a vivid picture of the human condition as spiritually dead without Christ. They highlight the importance of spiritual rebirth and the transformative power of God's grace in bringing people to life.

Adam and Eve had the righteousness a perfect image bearer of God would have, until the Fall. Without the righteousness of God we are spiritually dead. When we are born again/saved we are given spiritual life and the Holy Spirit lives in us.

R C Sproul explained:

• On the Nature of Spiritual Death:

• "Since the fall, every human being born into this world as a natural son of Adam arrives ‘DOA.’ He is ‘dead on arrival’ in a spiritual sense when he is born."

• "Being spiritually dead means that we are incapable of initiating or sustaining a spiritual life on our own. We are dead to God, dead to righteousness, and dead to eternal life."

• On the Implications of Spiritual Death:

• "A spiritually dead person cannot love God, cannot obey God, and cannot enjoy God. Such a person is utterly incapable of spiritual life."

• "The spiritually dead person is not merely ignorant of God; he is hostile to God. He actively resists God's truth and God's authority."

• On the Hope of Spiritual Life:

• "Thankfully, God offers spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead through faith in Jesus Christ."

• "When a person is spiritually reborn, they are made alive to God. This new life is not merely a moral reformation but a radical transformation of the soul."

Sproul often used these concepts to emphasize the need for salvation and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

*What does it mean to be spiritually dead?

*What does it mean to be dead in our trespasses and sins?

*What does it mean God draws us to himself?

*Understanding the biblical doctrine of Soteriology

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