Tag: Separation

  • Knowledge of Sin

    Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
    Romans 3:20

    When we think of the first man Adam, we remember that it was by him that sin entered into the world. However, immediately after that sin came a promise from God – He would send one to deliver mankind from that sin. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). From that point forward, mankind waited for God to send the Promised One; and from then on, mankind recognized the separation from God. 

    Just as sin entered into the world by one man, Adam, also because of that sin came death. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). We understand as we read the Bible that God revealed mankind’s sin to them through the centuries, by His Law. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). In having this Law, people could understand just how sinful they were, and just how far from God they had become. Instead of living by faith – looking for the Promised One, the people tried to obey that Law – but failed. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

    We also understand after reading Romans 3:20, that no man can be justified by that Law. However, this was not revealed without the assurance that God sent One who could deliver mankind from sin and death. (Death is a result of the initial disobedience of man.) “19. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:19-21). This helps us understand that the purpose of the Law given by Moses is to reveal mankind’s sin. We can then understand that God never intended for mankind to live perfectly under the Law, for it is impossible. However, the intent of that Law is to reveal to mankind their need for grace – only provided by the Savior, Jesus (that One promised from Genesis 3:15). “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). It is then we can begin to understand the grace that Jesus offers. Grace is something offered that no one deserves.

    To help one understand the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 better, read the following: “14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. … 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14-17). When Jesus came, lived a sinless human life, died upon the cross, and rose from the dead, he defeated the devil and death – allowing Him to be able to reconcile people to God once and for all.

    When Jesus came, He fulfilled every letter of the Law. This is something that no man had ever done, or ever will do. In that fulfillment, he took upon himself the curse of the Law for us (because we are cursed for not fulfilling it). See what he accomplished by doing this. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). (Compare that with Deuteronomy 21:22-23.) All one has to do is believe, by faith, that Christ took that curse for us.

    We must understand that the Law was only given to reveal mankind’s sin. The Law cannot save anyone. One must have faith in Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, we can read of the failure of mankind because they were unable to fully obey the Law. In the New Testament, we see that through Jesus, He not only fulfilled that Law, but also died so that we could have eternal life. If only one would believe. Just as through Adam, all will die, through Jesus, all can live. “21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive …” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

    Have you come to the knowledge that you are a sinner, needing salvation that only comes by faith in Jesus?

  • The Good News

    For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
    Romans 10:13

    The sin of Adam (disobedience of God) separated all of God’s creation from fellowship with God. Adam and Eve immediately recognized that they were naked. They were no longer covered by the glory from God. So, they covered themselves with fig leaves. Man cannot appease God’s wrath by his own actions. God corrected this attempt at rectification by making coats of skins and covering Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3:21). This death helped reveal there was a cost for their disobedience (sin). From that day forward, man was born into sin.

    There is a simple way to understand and explain the separation of man from God, and the only way of redemption. It is simplified by colors. This incorporates the plan God has for anyone to believe in Jesus.

    Black – Sin: Romans 3:23

    Red – Jesus’ Blood: Romans 5:8

    White – Clean: Acts 3:19

    Blue– Faith:  Acts 2:41

    Green –Growth: 2 Peter 3:18

    How can we understand this?

    Black: Man’s Sin: Everyone has sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God examines man’s heart and our deeds. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).  He says that not one of us have met sinless perfection. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10).

    Red: Jesus’ shed blood: The good news is that Jesus paid the price for man’s sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Moreover, He paid the price with his own blood. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

    White: Man is now clean:  The Good News is that if we ask, Jesus will forgive us for sin and cleanse us of that black, sinful heart. If we repent. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19). He gives us a brand new clean, white heart and when He looks at us, God sees Jesus Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). We now have the ability to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

    Blue: Faith: The first act of obedience is baptism. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41). Baptism is a picture of dying to one’s old live and living a new life “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

    Green: Spiritual Growth: We then live a life that pleases Him “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). “4b. even so we also should walk in newness of life. 11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:4b, 11). The more we learn about this new life, the more we will live like Jesus, which will cause other people to want this new life, too.

    All of this can be simply understood, and the invitation is available to anyone who will believe in Jesus. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). We just need to tell others about this wonderfully Good News!

    Have you told anyone the Good News of Jesus’ Salvation?

  • God’s Great Gifts

    That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
    Romans 10:9

    Everyone knows John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is undoubtedly the greatest gift anyone could receive. God offered His only Son to mankind. However, most people do not understand this gift.

    Because of the sin of man, there is a separation between God and man. God cannot look upon sinful man. Nevertheless, God sent His only Son to take the penalty for that sin, to allow restoration of the separation that man caused. This restoration could only come by the death of Jesus, God’s Son, on the cross. So, Jesus willingly came, lived a perfect life, laid down His life in the death on the cross, and took His life back up again. He is now seated in heaven next to God on His throne.

    In an amazing prayer of Jesus right before He died upon the cross, Jesus declared that He came to glorify God. “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee” (John 17:1). Glorify means “to reveal the divine character and attributes of God.” Jesus did that. Everything Jesus did revealed God to mankind from the perfect life that He lived to His suffering death for sinners. Why would Jesus be willing to do all of that? Continue reading His prayer in the garden: “2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:2-3). Jesus gave His life on the cross to restore that separation caused by man because of sin and to give eternal life to anyone who would receive this gift. There is only one “work” that a person must do to become a Christian. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). One must believe on Jesus, whom God sent.  

    Jesus prayed for Himself and what He was about to do (His death upon the cross), for His disciples, and finally, He prayed for any who would believe upon Him. However, there is something very interesting found in John chapter seventeen that needs to be understood.

    What could be so important? The gift that God gave to Jesus. God gave to Jesus the people who chose to believe in Jesus and the work He did on the cross. They are Believers (Christians), the ones who accepted the free gift of God. Take note of the following: Believers (Christians) are God’s gift to His Son, Jesus. Read the following excerpts from verses in Jesus’ prayer found in John 17:

    • to as many as thou hast given him” (John 17:2).
    • the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me …” (John 17:6).
    • I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me …” (John 17:9).
    • keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one… those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost …” (John 17:11-12).
    • I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am …” (John 17:24).

    However, the best one is the following verse: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). Jesus knew that I would one day believe on Him, and He prayed for me in the garden that night. Moreover, He knew that I would be a gift to Him from His Father, God.

    Have you believed in Jesus, becoming a gift from God to Jesus?