"Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. " - Ephesians 2:3

    It has been said our position regarding God's love of His people is wrong and that the elect are not truly justified in the eyes of God until they come to belief in the Gospel.  Some go even so far as to say that God's people are under the wrath of God until they believe.  And the proof that is often used to justify their position is Ephesians 2:3.

    They used to even yell at me!  "SEE BRANDAN!  IT SAYS RIGHT THERE - CHILDREN OF WRATH!  WE'RE RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG.  YOU'RE A HYPER-CALVINIST MEANIE BUTT!" 

    They may think they have a fancy proof text there, but sadly all it does is prove that they should have kept reading.  The very next verse says the following.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. - Ephesians 2:4

    Wow, imagine that!  God LOVED his people even when they were not believers.   Isn't that something?  Maybe people should spend less time looking for prooftexts to justify their position and more time reading the scriptures.