The child of wrath became a child of God!

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Ephesians 2:1–5, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
BUT because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!"

What a strange and glorious mystery is sovereign grace! The man whom God chose to salvation in eternity past, will be found walking in the ways of sin--until the Lord saves him. The chosen vessel of mercy, will lie in the mire. The sheep will wander in sinful paths, before he follows the Shepherd's voice. For years, he will live as a rebel against the God who chose him to salvation.

The elect are not born holy. They are born in Adam, with a sinful nature. They are born with . . . 
  hearts that love sin,
  minds that resist God,
  and wills that turn away from righteousness.

They are, by nature, "children of wrath." There is nothing in their fallen nature which makes them deserving of salvation. And yet—they are chosen to salvation.

Here is the wonder:
Before they had a being, God chose them to be saved.
Before they had sought Him, He had determined to seek them.
Before they loved Jesus, He had set His saving love upon them.

Election does not mean that the sinner is born already possessing salvation and its blessings. It means that God has determined that in His appointed hour, salvation and its blessings shall be given.

For a while, the chosen sinner will live like the wicked.
He will despise the gospel.
He will love the world.
He will resist conviction.
He will run from Jesus.
He will have no desire for holiness.

He is, in his actual condition, a child of wrath.

He is God's chosen vessel and yet, for a season, he will be wallowing in the mire of sin.

But God's eternal purpose is not frustrated by the sinner's present condition.

There is an hour appointed for mercy.

Then comes that little word which has thundered hope into millions of dead hearts: "But."

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions." Ephesians 2:4–5

We were dead—but God made us alive.
We were blind—but God opened our eyes.
We were His enemies—but God reconciled us.
We were children of wrath—but God made us His children.

And what a change follows!

The eyes that once looked upon Jesus with hatred, now behold Him as the altogether lovely One.
The sin once cherished, becomes hateful.
The holiness once dreaded, becomes desirable.
The gospel once neglected, becomes the sweetest message on earth.

What made the difference?
God's Sovereign Grace!

Believer, never forget what you once were. Never look at your conversion as though it were merely the day that you decided to follow Jesus.
You were not chosen and saved because God looked down the corridor of time, and saw that you were more worthy than others.
You were not saved because you were wiser, humbler, or more spiritually sensitive than others.
You were not rescued, because you first made yourself willing.
You were saved because God had mercy upon you.

Before you loved Him, He loved you.
Before you sought Him, He sought you.
Before you called upon Him, He effectually called you to salvation.
Before you knew His name, He loved you and chose you to be His.

Do not boast that you found Jesus.
Marvel that Jesus found you.

You were wandering—but He sought you.
You were dead—but He raised you.
You were a child of wrath—but He made you His child.

Oh, what glorious grace is this!

Chosen in eternity.
Fallen in Adam.
Dead in sin.
Effectually called in time.
Made alive by grace.
Adopted as His child.
Kept unto glory.

And when you finally stand before the throne, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, you will not say, "I was saved because of my decision for Jesus." You will cast your crown at His feet and say: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" Your deepest wonder will be that He loved you, when you hated Him!

There is a depth in God's sovereign grace which the shallow mind cannot fathom.

Therefore, let every redeemed sinner fall low before the throne and cry: "Why me, Lord?"

And when no answer is found in yourself, then look to the marvelous grace of God!

His sovereign grace chose you, though you were unworthy.
His sovereign grace pursued you, though you were rebellious.
His sovereign grace awakened you, though you were dead in sin.
His sovereign grace justified you, though you were ungodly.
His sovereign grace adopted you, though you hated Jesus.

Election became regeneration.
Regeneration became faith.
Faith laid hold of Jesus.
Jesus became precious.
And the child of wrath became a child of God!