Memory Verse – (I Timothy 1:15) This is a faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came to earth to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
Our Father had intended from the beginning of creation for man to live in peace and harmony. Adam was given everything he needed. He was given a beautiful home called The Garden of Eden, a wife for companionship, and commands concerning the tree of good and evil and the outcome if he disobeyed. However, Adam did not listen to God’s commands. He surrendered to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed the voice of God. As a result of his disobedience to God, he was banished from the beautiful Garden of Eden. (Genesis Chapters 1-4)
The banishment from the Garden of Eden clearly demonstrates God’s separation from man. Oh yes, God loves man, but he does not approve of sin. A temporary redemption was given through instructions of his prophets and spiritual leaders to offer various types of sacrifices as a petition to forgive sins. These offerings were a shadow of the perfect sacrificial offering which was to come. (Colossians 2:17)
One of the greatest problems is to admit that we are sinners. We had no choice in the state in which we are born, but we do have a choice in the state in which we die. We can die a sinner or a saint. Paul’s statement “of whom I am chief” has a very deep message. He did not deny that he was a sinner. He admitted he was chief, which implied that he was the leader of sin. He did an awful deed to persecute the people of God. He never blamed the councils or anyone for his wrongs. He confessed that he was a sinner and freely accepted the saving power of Jesus. (Acts 26:10,11)
The very nature of sin separates us from God. God is holy and righteous. Therefore, to live in him we must become like him. Many will argue that we cannot be perfect because they fail to understand that only Christ can make us perfect. Not the works that we do, the kind words that we may say, or the title we hold. Only Christ can make us perfect.
God loves us so, that he gave us salvation through his only begotten Son. Salvation means to save. Man needed to be saved from his sins. If there was no salvation, man would have remained a hopeless living creatures. The sin of Adam changed the course of this world forever.
Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrificial lamb slain for the sins of the world. Through his painful death and with his precious blood, we have the excellent plan of redemption. We were bought with the blood of Christ. Why excellent? Jesus did just what he was born to do. He died to save sinners. Alleluia! He died to save me. Alleluia! His death on the cross was accepted by God. Therefore, there is nothing that no man can add or take away from salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)
In the sacrificial law, the sins of the people were imputed (charged) on animals. The blood of animals had no power to put away sins. It was necessary until the time was fulfilled “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shat call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The blood of Christ has power to put away sins, it is most effective. It has the power to save all those who will believe in his life giving sacrifice. (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 9:22)
Salvation is extremely personal. It is a confession of faith that only an individual can make to Jesus. No man, no matter what position he holds in this world, can do for us what Christ has done. When the believer accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he repents from his sinful life and he has direct access to God because of his faith in Jesus. Sin no longer separates us from our heavenly Father. But one must choose for himself. Salvation in Jesus is the core belief of our faith. Jesus died once for all “entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:12)
“In conclusion, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son…” Throughout the bible, the message is that we need a savior. God is always attentive to the penitent soul. He promises to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquities. He does not force his love on us. He patiently waits to hear from us “what must I do to be save?”
Pastor Tylvia E. Koromah The Path of Righteousness Church in Christ
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