Man was created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
The picture painted for us in Genesis 1-2 is often overlooked. The beauty of the relationship that Adam enjoyed with his Creator is indeed shrouded in mystery, but what is revealed is neglected in meditation. Adam walked with God. He knew God in a fullness that no man since ever has apart from Jesus Christ. Relationship between the one true God and his children is a majestic treasure. Adam's enjoyment of that relationship brought profound glory to his Creator.
Man has failed to glorify God and is under His just condemnation.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23); "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Adam represented all of mankind as our federal head. Just as our appreciation for his relationship with God before the Fall is undervalued, so is the terrible mutiny that Adam engaged in when he chose disobedience. The moment Adam bit that fruit he damaged the beauty of the relationship that he enjoyed in ways beyond limit. The effects reach all of mankind bringing us all into a state of sin and misery. Therefore, our wills are no longer free, our hearts are desperately wicked, and we are dead in our trespasses and sins.
Jesus fully bore the wrath and suffered the punishment sinners deserve.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
The just fury of God against the sin of Adam brings death and judgment to all mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, sent his only begotten Son, that He might save those trusting in the work of Jesus for their right relationship with God. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Jesus had to die a death he did not deserve so that we could be justified with a standing before God that we did not earn. The Son bore the wrath so that he would save his people from their sins.
All who, by the grace of God, turn to Jesus in submissive faith are forgiven.
"And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5)
Peter's instructions to those convicted by these truths in Acts 2 were "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Recognize your sins against a holy and loving God, and turn away from them by crying out for Jesus' death to be attributed to your account. Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead to give you life and cling to his promise to never leave you nor forsake you. Find encouragement and nurturing in a church that preaches the whole counsel of God's word as you seek to live the rest of your life now motivated by the gratitude that you savor. You once were lost, but now are found, you were blind but now you see.
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
The picture painted for us in Genesis 1-2 is often overlooked. The beauty of the relationship that Adam enjoyed with his Creator is indeed shrouded in mystery, but what is revealed is neglected in meditation. Adam walked with God. He knew God in a fullness that no man since ever has apart from Jesus Christ. Relationship between the one true God and his children is a majestic treasure. Adam's enjoyment of that relationship brought profound glory to his Creator.
Man has failed to glorify God and is under His just condemnation.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23); "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Adam represented all of mankind as our federal head. Just as our appreciation for his relationship with God before the Fall is undervalued, so is the terrible mutiny that Adam engaged in when he chose disobedience. The moment Adam bit that fruit he damaged the beauty of the relationship that he enjoyed in ways beyond limit. The effects reach all of mankind bringing us all into a state of sin and misery. Therefore, our wills are no longer free, our hearts are desperately wicked, and we are dead in our trespasses and sins.
Jesus fully bore the wrath and suffered the punishment sinners deserve.
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
The just fury of God against the sin of Adam brings death and judgment to all mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, sent his only begotten Son, that He might save those trusting in the work of Jesus for their right relationship with God. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Jesus had to die a death he did not deserve so that we could be justified with a standing before God that we did not earn. The Son bore the wrath so that he would save his people from their sins.
All who, by the grace of God, turn to Jesus in submissive faith are forgiven.
"And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5)
Peter's instructions to those convicted by these truths in Acts 2 were "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Recognize your sins against a holy and loving God, and turn away from them by crying out for Jesus' death to be attributed to your account. Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead to give you life and cling to his promise to never leave you nor forsake you. Find encouragement and nurturing in a church that preaches the whole counsel of God's word as you seek to live the rest of your life now motivated by the gratitude that you savor. You once were lost, but now are found, you were blind but now you see.