By Nature I Am An Enemy of God
- Dwight Schettler
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 28
Understanding Our True Nature Through Scripture
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - Remember Whose You Are - Question 1, p. 13
Who am I by nature? According to the Bible, every human being is born with a nature that is inherently opposed to God. This truth is illustrated in Isaiah 59:2, which states, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Our sins create a chasm between us and God, making us, by nature, adversaries of God.
This theme is further reinforced in Romans 5:10: "For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Here, Paul emphasizes the enmity that exists between humankind and God due to our sinful nature. Yet, the verse also introduces a glimmer of hope through reconciliation.
The good news of the Gospel lies in the promise of redemption and reconciliation. Though we are enemies of God by our sinful nature, God's love transcends our iniquities. Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, bridges the gap that our sins have created. As Romans 5:10 beautifully highlights, it is through Christ's death that we are reconciled to God, and through His life, we are saved.
This divine act of grace transforms our identity. No longer are we enemies of God; we become His beloved children. This transformation is not of our doing but is a gift freely given by God to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Our natural state of enmity is replaced with peace, love, and eternal fellowship with God.
In essence, while our nature initially sets us at odds with God, the Gospel offers a redemptive pathway that turns adversaries into beloved children, promising eternal life and unity with God. This is the heart of the Gospel—the transformative power of God’s love and grace.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
Bible study format through Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation OR Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?
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