Let us examine the teaching of Paul concerning the "sinner's state." "That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." {Ephesians 2:12}
Without Christ. The sinner has no relationship with Jesus Christ. How difficult does this make his position before God? "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."{ John 8:24} "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." {John 14:6}
Aliens-friendless. The sinner has friends in the world that are not dependable and they many times will turn away in the time of need. How good a friend is Jesus Christ? "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" {Hebrews 13:5,6} In other words-always there when He is needed.
Homeless-stranger. The sinner is really a nomad. He really has no permanent dwelling place. This earth is a temporary residence and one day will be destroyed, 2 Peter 3:4-11. What about the Christian? "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." {Philippians 3:20,21}
Hopeless-having no hope. "Why do many people take their own life? In their mind they reached the end of the road and see no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. When hope is gone, life seems empty. The sinner has nothing to look forward to after death but being eternally separated from God. What about the Christian? "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea." {Revelation 21:1} Hope is something that gives life purpose and direction. God offers man the only true hope there is in the world. A place of no tears, pain, sickness, sin, grief, burdens and no death. Only in Christ can this hope become a reality!
Godless-without God. Before the Creation ever started God had a plan. He would make man in His image. He would create the earth and everything in it and give man dominion over all of the earth. Still, God knew that with the free choice given to him he would choose sin and all the misery it would bring into the world. God had a plan how he would redeem man and bring him back into fellowship with Him. Jesus Christ would be the key to that plan, John 3:16. Man needs God in his life to make it better, give it meaning, direction, and prepare him for a better place following death. So many difficulties in this life can literally bring us to our knees-God can help us. Jeremiah told us long ago we cannot walk without His help, Jeremiah 10:23. Life without God is really no life at all!
Dear reader, can you see one positive thing about the "sinner's state"?