Almighty God created earth and man perfect. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commands, He had to punish them. A judge who pardons law-breakers isn’t a righteous judge. Likewise, overlooking sin would make the holy God unjust. Death is God’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against a holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteousness are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy, but also includes love of money, hatred of enemies, and deceit of tongue and pride. Because of sin, everyone has deserved death – eternal separation from God in hell. And there is absolutely NOTHING we can do to pay that sin debt on our own.
The plan of salvation Almighty God designed is perfect, just, and upright, and no one could have come up with anything better. Usually what WE perceive as “better” is something that seems right to us. “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) A plan must be universally just and fair for all parties, with no favoritism given to any individual or group. Before we can come to grips with anything God does, we have to first acknowledge that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts—they are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). In addition, Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us that “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” So whatever God does is right and fair and therefore WILL take place. Doing good is an insufficient means to gain forgiveness and eternity with our Heavenly Father. Doing good so WE feel satisfied is worthless in God’s economy, because the question that must be asked is why do we do good things for others? Who benefits??
The Scripture says, “... Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Evidence affirms that the sinless Jesus bled and died on a cross. Most importantly, the Bible explains why Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the ONLY ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN.
Herein lies the beauty of God’s perfect plan: God Himself provided the only sacrifice (Jesus) who could atone for the sins of His people. God’s perfect Son fulfilled God’s perfect requirement of God’s perfect law. It is perfectly brilliant in its simplicity. “God made Him (Christ), who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Some folks who do not know the Lord, may say: “I never asked Jesus to die for me!” Their ignorance is glaring. They don’t understand how it all works. They don’t read the Bible and don’t take seriously knowing God intimately, thinking this will put a crimp in their life. No longer can they do whatever they want. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are born with a ‘free will’ to do as we please. God is watching at all times, not to chastise us any time we do wrong, but guard us, and guide us into his will for that person. If you are one of his children who knows he word relatively well, you should take comfort in that fact. Those who don’t know him must come to a place where they are willing to lay all pride and reasoning down and listen to what God has to say. It’s a matter of faith and trust in a loving God. Christ died on a wooden cross not simply because he HAD to, but rather, the love he has for his creation caused him to willingly take our beating in our place. I think we should all remind ourselves of that one solitary fact that should give us a humble approach to life. We did nothing and could / can do nothing to save ourselves. Without Christ’s voluntary death on the cross we would all be doomed to live a life without hope and die in our sins. Is that you? Bow your knee to Christ at this moment and receive the Christ into your heart and life. Turn your back on your old life and become reborn. Like me, who gave my life over to God in March of 1979, you will never, ever regret your decision ... surrender your will in favor of His perfect will for you.
Up next we’ll take a look at evidence that Jesus actually died and rose again to new life. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; www.gotquestions.org
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