"All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made ... and the Word became flesh." (John 1:1-18)
Even when we were yet enemies, JESUS died for you and I at Calvary. (Romans 5:10) This is the starting point toward salvation. The point where we must all - each and every one of us - begin if we are to inherit eternal life. Why? Because without the shedding of blood, there cannot be any remission of sin.
But our Lord God who is before all things became our Saviour. He who knew no sin took upon Himself all of our earthly anxiety, cares, burdens, and sin. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us -- for when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:5-8)
Even when we were yet enemies, JESUS died for you and I at Calvary. (Romans 5:10) This is the starting point toward salvation. The point where we must all - each and every one of us - begin if we are to inherit eternal life. Why? Because without the shedding of blood, there cannot be any remission of sin.
But our Lord God who is before all things became our Saviour. He who knew no sin took upon Himself all of our earthly anxiety, cares, burdens, and sin. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us -- for when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:5-8)
But one might ask -- isn't God Spirit? The answer is yes. But the Spirit of God, upon counselling with Himself decided that He was going to reveal Himself in visible form. As such, God stepped out of the unseen revealing Himself in form. In this case, human form. When we consider this decision from our own personal (and often self-absorbed) perspective, it becomes evident that God had a plan for His creation. We are not here by accident.
In fact, in the beginning God created man as an earthly image of His own spiritual form. And into that earthly form, God breathed into man the breath of life. As a consequence, man became a living soul. But in his innocence man was easy picking for a devil who fell because he thought he could be greater than Almighty God. Thus, even though man was perfect in image -- created uniquely in God's image -- he was also gullible. As we know from the book of Genesis, man -- up until this time -- knew only good. This is why Adam and Eve fell so easily from grace.
Fortunately, God knew before man was ever created that man was an unfinished work. His creation -- still very much in progress. Even though God had given man dominion over all the things of the earth, so they could reign, man was still an innocent soul life. In this situation, as we know from the book of Genesis, man soon to become a dead soul reducing man to a place that stagnated his growth beyond his present stature.
As we read, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and a death sentence was pronounced upon all living souls. For God had decreed that the soul that sins (the sin of disobedience to God’s instructions) would surely die. Adam and Eve were put out of the garden into a new world in which they were strangers.
As we read, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and a death sentence was pronounced upon all living souls. For God had decreed that the soul that sins (the sin of disobedience to God’s instructions) would surely die. Adam and Eve were put out of the garden into a new world in which they were strangers.
This also meant that their natural productive seed was no longer pure. Sin now inhabited their seed. We see this in the couple's two sons -- Cain and Abel -- who were typical examples of a fall from innocence. God was aware of their plight. Still, God had a higher plan for man.
"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. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come." (Romans 5:12-15
But remember, man is a work in progress. As such, God gave a promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the head of a serpent, the devil’s head. This explains why that promised SEED passed into Seth as presented in the genealogical record scribed in Matthew and Luke. As we read in the old testament (the old covenant and not today's dispensation of grace), we understand that men and women did not always honour God. The days of Noah serve as an example to the times that were at hand in his day.
"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. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come." (Romans 5:12-15
But remember, man is a work in progress. As such, God gave a promise that the SEED of a woman would bruise the head of a serpent, the devil’s head. This explains why that promised SEED passed into Seth as presented in the genealogical record scribed in Matthew and Luke. As we read in the old testament (the old covenant and not today's dispensation of grace), we understand that men and women did not always honour God. The days of Noah serve as an example to the times that were at hand in his day.
Moving forward, Abraham (who was called a friend of God) believed God with his heart and as such, was blessed of Him because of His faith. But note that apart from Abraham believing in God, Abraham naturally had a litany of odd behaviour that could be used against him. We won't get into that here. However, when Abraham is just about ready to drive a knife into his son, Melchizedek meets Abraham. When the two met, Melchizedek blessed Abraham with bread and wine which Melchizedek had in His hands. (In God’s hands is bread and wine. The bread typifies His Life in flesh and the wine typifies His precious shed blood.) As many of us might do in this same situation, Abraham endeavours to add to the blessing by offering money.
But what was really happening here is that God was giving Abraham a promise that in His SEED (which is Christ the SEED of the Holy Spirit) would all the nations of the earth be blessed.
"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgement was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ)
Therefore, as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:15-21)
What does this mean? Salvation came about as a consequence of the SEED of the Holy Spirit - JESUS - who alone can save. He willingly shed His blood for us. JESUS the ‘Lamb of God’ was like a sheep before the shearers. Still, the Lord our God opened not His mouth. He came to make a redemptive way and it is He alone who can deliver! The Lord Our Creator has become our Saviour!
"Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith." (Romans 3:30) "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:5) Jesus -- the same yesterday, today and forever.
Let His work of redemption usher in the plan of God for our lives that was decided even before the world was formed. Stand in the offering plate.
"But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgement was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ)
Therefore, as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:15-21)
What does this mean? Salvation came about as a consequence of the SEED of the Holy Spirit - JESUS - who alone can save. He willingly shed His blood for us. JESUS the ‘Lamb of God’ was like a sheep before the shearers. Still, the Lord our God opened not His mouth. He came to make a redemptive way and it is He alone who can deliver! The Lord Our Creator has become our Saviour!
"Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith." (Romans 3:30) "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:5) Jesus -- the same yesterday, today and forever.
Let His work of redemption usher in the plan of God for our lives that was decided even before the world was formed. Stand in the offering plate.
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