Chapter Five - Man's Problem

We learned that centuries ago in the Middle East, when one incurred a debt, an official certificate was drafted so that the parties involved would not forget the amount payable. Those who were unable to pay their debts were considered criminals under full penalty of the law. In the same way, the Bible teaches that on the moral ledger, our sin incurs a debt. There's a price to be paid. We are faced with...
Romans 8:2 ...the law of sin and death.
Ezekiel 18:20 ...That law says: The soul who sins shall die.
We have a two faceted dilemma, like opposite sides of the same coin.
*we have something we don't want - a sin problem
*we need something we don't have - perfection. We need a level of goodness that makes us acceptable in God's presence.

So we must find the answer to this two-fold question: How can we get rid of our sin? And how can we gain a righteousness that is equal to God's righteousness, so that we can be accepted in His presence?

God's situation:
Now we find a paradox. To be completely just, God must enforce our payment of the sin-debt - we must die.
But because God is loving, he has no desire to destroy us. Bot qualities of his character are equal. God is not more loving than he is just. So how can God maintain justice and still be loving?

The solution:
Two big words help to describe God's solution to the problem:
1. Substitution - a life for a life, the innocent died for the guilty
2. Atonement - meaning covering - the blood shed covered man's sin

Remember, God is the only solution for our sin problem. You cannot fix this. Only God can make the way of salvation through His promised deliverer.

The Bible states that the same pride that caused Satan to rebel is what will keep us from coming to God for help. The Lord can only help man escape the penalty of death when man humble himself and seeks God's help.

Using your Bible, find and read these verses:
Psalm 96:10; Psalm 98:9, Psalm 101:1; Isaiah 61:8; 1 Peter 5:5

I am so happy that Jesus gave His life for me AND that His blood covers over my sin so God doesn't see my sin, but sees Christ's righteousness instead!

Have a blessed week,
Pastor Tom