Who We Are Apart From Christ

In chapters 3 and 4 of Finally Alive, John Piper lists and explains who we are by nature. He says, "The aim of this list is to give us an accurate diagnosis of our disease so that when God applies the remedy at great cost to himself, we will leap for joy and give him some measure of the glory he deserves."

Apart from the new birth...

1. We are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-2).
2. We are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3).
3. We love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20).
4. Our hearts are hard like stone (Ezek. 36:26; Eph. 4:18).
5. We are unable to submit to God or please God (Rom. 8:7-8).
6. We are unable to accept the gospel (Eph. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:14).
7. We are unable to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord (John 6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 12:3).
8. We are slaves to sin (Rom. 6:17).
9. We are slaves of Satan (Eph. 2:1-2; 2 Tim 2:24-26).
10. No good thing dwells in us (Rom. 7:18).