Were we enemies of God before conversion even if we lived good lives?
Yes. Scripture teaches that the carnal mind is enmity against God and is not subject to His law. Before grace saved us, we were enemies of God, even if we lived decent lives, were good citizens, and were respected in our community; as far as God was concerned, we were enemies.
Les explains that this is hard language and tough for people to swallow. The carnal mind is enmity against God and cannot be subject to His law. He says that before the Lord and His grace saved us, that was us: we were enemies of God even though most were living pretty good lives, were good citizens, and respected in the community. But so far as God was concerned, we were enemies, nothing more than what Romans 1 showed. The dilemma is that the soul that sinneth shall surely die spiritually, ending in the lake of fire, but God gave a loophole so big the whole world could walk through if they believe.