Your man-made tradition and personal philosophy constantly misguides you when it comes to a correct understanding of the Word of God DHK.
Teaching from the Scriptures that declare :
that we were enemies of God
That we had enmity against Him
That were spirtually blind
That we were bound up in sin --a virtual slavehouse
That we were lost
That we were without hope
That we were without God in this world
Those doctrines taken from the Word of God have no other interpretation. Without the Lord's "overwhelming interference" in the lives of His own --we could not be saved. The Father mercifully draws us to the Son. We have no might, power, ability, insight, keen perception or anything else residing in ourselves. Our salvation is entirely due to Him and Him alone. He is the Author and Finisher of our Fath.
As long as you give merit of any kind to the creature coming to God on his own --you will never grasp the spiritual truth of this serious matter.
You are a typical Calvinist that takes scripture out of context to try and uphold unbiblical doctrine. Even the partial quotes of scripture here are taken out of context. They don't mean what you infer them to mean. Your study of the Bible is so shallow.
These phrases come from Ephesians two. Have you any idea what this chapter is talking about?
Verses 1-10 form one section of the chapter, of which there has been considerable discussion. But beginning with verse 11, Paul begins a new topic.
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Continuing from where he began in verse one, they were once Gentiles in the flesh, uncircumcised in the flesh. He is drawing a comparison. And he is using circumcision in this comparison.
As Gentiles they are uncircumcised; as unsaved Gentiles they were spiritually uncircumcised.
Therefore:
As the text says, and you quoted,
that we were enemies of God
That we had enmity against Him
That were spirtually blind
That we were bound up in sin --a virtual slavehouse
That we were lost
That we were without hope
That we were without God in this world
But you have taken that out of context. What is Paul teaching.
He is teaching this in context of circumcision.
What happened?
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
--Christ preached to them that were afar off (the Gentiles), and to them that were nigh (the Jews) [the uncircumcised and circumcised alike):
Ephesians 2:18 For through him
we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
--That both Jew and Gentile might have access by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
--Now these Gentile believers are not to be strangers and foreigners any longer. Here was a church that had received attacks from Judaizing false teachers--that in order to be saved one had to be circumcised and accept the Law. Paul corrects that teaching and tells them that they already have been spiritually circumcised and are part of the household of God.
Both Jew and Gentile (after trusting Christ) are one in Christ. They both make up the household of God.
The middle-wall of partition is that "wall" of division that existed between the Jew and the Gentile. That is the context.
In your twisted interpretation you have "gentiles" lost and without God and without hope," but unsaved Jews are not lost, and without God and without hope." That is not what Paul was teaching. According to you that is what he taught. Garbage!
