JESUS said that except you believe that I AM, you shall die in your sin. Through the historical record of events that have transpired in Biblical times and then further substantiated in the contents contained within the scriptures, we are privileged to have an opportunity to find out who Jesus really was. Certainly, the scriptures reveal who JESUS Himself professed to be, by the very deeds, signs, wonders, and miracles He performed. Indeed, He was who He said He was.
JESUS said, "I AM the way."
"I AM the door."
At the same time, JESUS forewarned us that many would come in His name saying that they were the messiah or God’s chosen prophet and that many would be deceived by their words.
Still, Jesus did not have to pay the price for our sin. Jesus did not have to suffer death on the cross. What did Jesus say? He said that no man takes His life from Him. Rather, Jesus said, I lay down my life for my sheep!
Well, who were these sheep? Certainly, Adam was a son of God. And we are Adam‘s off spring. Therefore we, like Adam, are fallen sons of God. And yes, while it is true that Adam transgressed, we all pay the price for our ancestral father’s transgression. As a consequence, Adam's race was alienated from having fellowship with God - notwithstanding Adam was, as is recorded, originally a created Son of God!
But JESUS was a also a Son of God, by birth. JESUS is the only begotten Son of God. In JESUS' veins flowed the blood of the Holy Spirit of God. Indeed, JESUS is the head of a new creation. A spiritual creation. Like Adam whose earthly image we bear, we are also made partakers of the free gift of redemption, purchased on our behalf by God at Calvary.
We are a purchased possession of God. A redeemed people. A people who were not a people. Redeemed of course means that we were bought back from bondage -- the required debt of our redemption being paid in full by our redeemer. So even though we were captives to an evil and abusive master into whose grip we were born, (resulting from our ancestral father's disobedience, which caused us to be go into captivity and slavery) we entered into a household of faith -- a house of peace, love, mercy and compassion. Therefore, we are redeemed.
A door has now been opened whereby we can return to fellowship with God. God Himself paid the price in full for our obtainable redemption. We no longer have to be alienated from God. We can now enjoy the same status of fellowship with God as Adam enjoyed. The unfortunate part is that we still inhabit the same prone to sin body - which is appointed once to die - as a result of the ancestral curse!
Before the Garden of Eden, however, it is important to note that God had before creation predetermined to have a people. A chosen people. A peculiar people. A people who were not a people. A nation of believers. A spiritual people. A people whose features express the image of Himself. A people not as a temporary tabernacle but rather a new people who would be His temple -- a temple where God would be pleased to inhabit.
This is why God continually blesses those who have been redeemed in His Name -- clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- receiving His Spirit within us.
Stand in the offering plate.
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