In The Beginning
The Bible states - "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth." Gen 1:1
All that God created was good, including Adam, the first man.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Gen 1:26, 31
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Gen 1:26, 31
God gave Adam dominion over the earth and the freedom to eat of all He had created. The only condition God placed on Adam was that he was not to eat of one specific tree - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam that if he ate of this tree, he would surely die.
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Gen 2:16-17
In the garden, Adam was in close fellowship with God. This relationship would have continued if it wasn’t for Adam disobeying God and eating of the forbidden tree. Adam sinned against God (breaking God’s law). God removed Adam from the garden and no longer was in fellowship with Him.
Sin And Death
Through Adam’s rebellion, sin entered the world and through sin, physical and spiritual death - just as God had warned. The entire human race, including you and I, are sons of Adam and have therefore inherited Adam’s sinful nature. From birth, our hearts are in direct rebellion against God, we all follow in Adam’s sin and are separated from God.
Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin. Rom 5:12
The natural mind is at enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be… those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:7-8
The Heart Of Man
Isn’t it amazing to think that even with our sinful nature, and death constantly around us, we continue to believe in our own goodness. The Bible states very clearly - man’s heart, by its very nature, is turned away from God and there is nothing to commend us as worthy to God. All of us sin and are separated from God.
They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Ps 14:3
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Jer 17:9
We reject God and live for ourselves, looking to fulfil our own lusts and desires. The creature has no regard or respect for his/her Creator. As a result of sin, God is angry with man. Death should be a reminder of our sin against God.
Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom 1:21
God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. Ps 7:11
The Law Of God
God’s moral law is eternal and reveals the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Our rebellion against God is evident in our response to His moral law. Not only has God given His law to man, He has written them on our hearts. Your conscience bears witness to your sin - your guilt is a warning from God. If you feel no guilt over your sin, this does not remove your guilt before God, it only reveals that your continued sin has worn down your conscience.
If you feel no guilt over your sin, this does not remove your guilt before God, it only reveals that your continued sin has worn down your conscience.
Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. Rom 2:15
God said, you shall not lie. God said, you shall not steal. God said, His name is Holy and deserving of reverence. God says, to look with lust is adultery of the heart. Only 4 laws are listed here - how many times have you done these things?
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21
The Bible states that we are all law-breakers, we have all sinned. To say you have no sin, you make God out to be a liar.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:10
God Is Holy
To truly comprehend the state of your heart and sin against God, you must come to an understanding of who God is. God is the almighty, wise and perfect Creator. God is holy - this means God is totally separate from sinful man, He is not like us or anything in the universe. God is sovereign over all.
Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Ex 15:11
God is completely without sin and He is absolutely pure and good. God’s holiness is what separates Him from sinful man, He cannot look upon sin.
You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Hab 1:13
God is also just and righteous - this means that not only is God good and right in all His judgments, actions and thoughts, but that God will uphold His law and ensure justice is served. The core of God’s character is good therefore all His judgements are right and good. God cannot contradict His own character.
The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails... Zeph 3:5
For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. Deut 32:3-4
God is rightfully angry with men over their sin. God being just must punish law-breakers. He will not ignore or turn a blind eye.
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. Nahum 1:3
God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. Ps 7:11
The Justice Of God
God has set a day when He will judge the world in truth and righteousness. It’s just a matter of time before you die and stand before your Creator to give an account of your life. Every thought, deed and word spoken will be judged by God - all your sin will be revealed on that day.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Heb 9:27
The Bible warns that by continuing in sin, you are storing up wrath (punishment) for the day of judgment.But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Rom 2:5
Now you may ask, what about my good works? To think that your "good works" have an effect on God’s judgement is foolish. It like a criminal thinking the judge will set him free because he offered the judge a coffee. God will not be bribed with your self-righteousness works. Man made religion teaches that you can work your way to God by doing good work... don’t be deceived, your good works cannot justify your sin before God.
God is committed to justice (wrong is made right) and therefore He will punish you for your sin. Just as God banished Adam from the garden, He will banish you from His presence.
Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes. 2 Chr 19:7
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20
God is committed to justice (wrong is made right) and therefore He will punish you for your sin. Just as God banished Adam from the garden, He will banish you from His presence. The Holy and Infinite God has declared eternal punishment for those that sin against him. This punishment is Hell, a place of fire and torment that God created for the devil and his angels.
The soul who sins shall die. Ezek 18:20
For the wages of sin is death... Rom 6:23
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:..." Matt 25:41
The Grace Of God
We have all sinned and broken God’s law, therefore we are all deserving of God’s wrath in Hell. If we have all sinned and continue to sin due to our sinful nature, who can ever be saved from the wrath of God? In and of ourselves we are doomed, we have no way or removing the penalty of sin or changing our nature. Man, left to himself, remains separated from God and destined to punishment in Hell. But God, by His grace, has provided a way for your sin debt to be settled and your sinful nature changed, without contradicting His holiness and justice.
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt 19:26
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23
The Good News
The Bible states that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem those who are under the law, those in sin. Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, became the representative (stand in the place of sinners) to bear the full penalty of sin.
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law Gal 4:4
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Matt 1:21
Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, never sinned and fulfilled the law of God. He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God, in the sinners place, by dying on a cross at Calvary. On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of God in man’s place, (He became sin for us) and willingly gave up His life as a sin offering.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21
Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb for three days, and on the third day, He rose again, demonstrating that His sacrifice was accepted by God. After 40 days and many encounters with His disciples, Jesus ascended to be with God the Father. Jesus promised to return and when He does it will not be as a sacrificial lamb but a roaring lion, who will judge this world.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11
Repent And Believe
God commands all men to repent (turn from your sinful ways, towards God) and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, the victorious King and only redeemer.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36
Salvation (saved from your sin) is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. God requires that you believe His word (Gospel), trust in the work of Jesus Christ alone and lay aside your own life to live for Him. Humble yourself before God and submit your life to Jesus Christ, not because you fear Hell, but because He is the only Saviour, worthy of your praise, worship and life.
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Not only did Jesus Christ pay the debt of sin in full, He imputes His perfect righteousness to those who are saved.
By placing your faith in Jesus Christ, God promises to forgive all your sins (past, present and future) and bring you into fellowship with Himself. Not only did Jesus Christ pay the debt of sin in full, He imputes His perfect righteousness to those who are saved. Adam’s sin brought death into the world, the obedience of Jesus Christ brings righteousness to those who believe.
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Rom 5:19
Repentance begins with acknowledging the Gospel truth, confessing your sin to God, turning from your sin and trusting in the perfect, finished work of Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His word - read your Bible, seek God in prayer and find a Bible believing church. Life will not always be easy, but He will give you a most blessed assurance that in Jesus, you have eternal life.
Praise be to Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.