~~~ I AM - The Son ~~~
(Originally written in 2000)
Redeemer
For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life within Himself. (Jn5:26)
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, having come into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that He might redeem the ones under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Gal4:4-5)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it has been written, "Cursed is everyone having been hung on a tree;" (Gal3:13)
In the last lesson we observed Jesus authenticating Himself to be Deity, by raising people from the dead. He promised to "raise up" believers at the "Last Day". (Jn6:40,44,54) And in the next lesson we will observe how He led the way into the Resurrection. Raising of the dead proves His authority and ability to give "everlasting life" (Jn3:16).
But we know that "all have sinned" (Rom3:10-12,23) and that the "wages of sin is -death-". (Rom6:23a) "The soul that sins, it shall die" (Eze18:4,20) If we are sinners, deserving of death, -how- does "eternal life" come "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom6:23b)??
Jesus became a "curse" for us. The "wages" for sin had to be paid. Again, man is busy changing God's laws. There are no longer "consequences" for actions. An evil president can be immoral, lie under oath and go through an impeachment process, and yet come away -smiling- and essentially unscathed...still retaining power. A couple days before this was written, the news had an item of a young little boy who, because he couldn't control his lust for a certain kind of cereal (just had to have it!), got in the car to drive to the store to get his favorite cereal, hitting a police car along the way. What was his "punishment" for this? Notoriety in the TV spotlight, and a "reward". Yes, indeed! A Reward! The cereal manufacturer promising a "year's supply" of his favorite cereal .... BECAUSE, he had been rebellious and caused havoc. On TV shows of the various "Funniest Videos", invariably, the clips receiving 1st prize are ones where little children are throwing temper tantrums and being rebellious. Rather than being punished or disciplined for such behavior, they are rewarded with TV/media spotlights and prizes.
Is it ANY WONDER that people have no concept of God's impending wrath against the world's wickedness! And no concept of the need for "repentance" unto salvation. That there are consequences. That sin has its results that are "deserved" (Rev16:6)
Sin is cursed. Sinners are accursed. Everlasting life does not come upon us...just BECAUSE. God is so gracious. He is so good. He "accepts us JUST AS WE ARE". All we have to do is "believe". Of course, the focus of this 'belief' is a bit muddied. And how can it be otherwise, if there is no concept of how heinous sin is, and the stench of the "prison" of "death" we are in. We need "rescuing" out of that prison. That's what Jesus came to do, to "open the prison [of sin and death] to those who are bound". (Is61:1b)
But the "debt" had to be paid first. The person does not gain release from prison unless the bail has been paid, or the judge has decreed the "case dismissed", etc.etc.
Another example is given. Life, and a new plant does not grow, unless there is first "death". (1Cor15:36-37) Humanity likes to see the pretty flowers and enjoy the wonderful scent. But they don't understand that before that lovely plant grew, a seed had to be planted in the ground. Seeds will remain as "potential life" for many years...as 'hard' seeds. But that's all they are. Seeds. But when they are planted in the soil, they begin to die. If the life did not sprout from within the seed to send out the root and shoot, and it continued in the ground, the seed would soften, rot, and be dead. When the life is sprouting, the seed becomes "soft"...the beginning of that rotting process. Out of that dying comes new life.
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