What does the Bible mean when it says we are dead in sins?

The phrase 'dead in sins' signifies a state of spiritual inability and separation from God due to sin. Ephesians 2:1 illustrates this condition: 'And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,' indicating that prior to God's intervention, we are spiritually lifeless and incapable of initiating our salvation. This reflects the Reformed perspective that humans cannot contribute to their redemption; rather, they are fully reliant on the grace of God to breathe life into their dead souls through the work of Jesus Christ. This concept is vital for understanding the necessity of grace and the transformative power of Christ’s redemptive work, emphasizing that it is God who brings life to the spiritually dead.