From
Beginning to Salvation...
We find in the book of Genesis,
that in the beginning God said: “Let us make
man in our own image",and mankind was
created in the very image of God the Creator. During the early
days of creation man walked and talked with God daily in the
garden.
We were in fellowship with and basked in the presence of God our
Creator (The Father) because we were sinless (perfect in God’s
eyes). It wasn’t long after that when mankind fell from God’s
grace by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge.
From that day forward any man born of this world was born into
sin and a sinful nature (our human side).
We also find within the book of Genesis, that mankind became so
corrupt and full of sin in such a short span of time, that it
grieved God our Creator and God was filled with pain. Ashamed and
disappointed God the Creator decided to destroy His creations
which had fallen from His grace: Genesis
6:7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created,
from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that
move along the ground, and birds of the air – for I am grieved
that I have made them.” Then came
the great flood, which destroyed all God had created. Through
God’s wisdom a righteous man and his family along with animals
from all species were saved to repopulate the earth.
The world was recreated with animals, creatures that walk, birds
that fly, and man as the creations of God began to be fruitful
and multiply all over the face of the earth. God the Provider
led His people from the bondage of the Egyptians through a
messenger we know as Moses.
God provided all the needs of His people, nourishment, direction,
and protection. This included a promised land in which they and
their descendants would occupy! God provided commandments (laws)
to establish morality and values among His people so they would
not return to their sinful way of life… seeking a relationship
with His chosen people.
We can plainly notice in the forthcoming thirty-seven (37) books
of the Old Testament (Gods Word) where God continued to provide
for His people, with a never-ending love, longing for a relationship
with His Chosen Ones. Yet, blinded by worldly nature to this love,
humanity continued in corruption and self-destruction with
immoralities, and a growing sinful nature.
God sent prophets to His chosen people, righteous leaders of
Godly wisdom, with strength and courage to prophecy and guide His
children back to righteousness. God has allowed and will continue
to allow mankind the freedom to choose its own path.
... God was silent… 400
years ...
Sometimes called the
“Silent years", they were anything but silent. The
events, the literature and social forces of these years would
shape the world of the New Testament.
Psalm 83:1-4 God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not
still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their
heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot
against those you cherish. Come, they say, “let us destroy them as
a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
It was after the
“Silent years” that God again displayed His love
for mankind and fulfill what His prophets had spoken:
Matthew 1:22,23 All this took place to
fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: “The virgin
shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will
call him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.”
God displayed His love, His mercy and His grace through Jesus
Christ. As prophesied in the scriptures, they will call him
Immanuelmeaning “God with us”. Because the Son
of God in fact walked the earth, God was indeed with us! . A
shepherd watches over His flock, protecting, nourishing and
providing for them. Jesus Christ was a shepherd sent from God
the Creator: Matthew 2:6
“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least
among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who
will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
We find in various passages and
scriptures in the Old Testament, where God shared this
information with man through His Prophets.
We find prophecy fulfilled over 2000 years ago, the Son of God…
God incarnate was born on behalf of all mankind. An angel of the
Lord appeared to Joseph and said: "She will
give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins".
Remember this wasn’t a secret; God had shared this information
with people for years through His prophets! He, who has an ear,
let him hear. The Son of God was born of the flesh and named
Jesus because He will save his people from their sins.
The Son of God was born into a poor family… having a carpenter
for a worldly father; he learned the traits of a builder. As a
youth, Jesus spoke to leaders within the temple concerning matters
unknown to a youth his age with such accuracy, it amazed them.
We find that even at a young age, his wisdom was far greater than
ours, Jesus possessed knowledge of the Creator… the Father… and
the Kingdom.
Thirty years passed as the Son of God grew from childhood into
manhood. Jesus lived as a man in a world of sin, experiencing
first hand the trials and tribulations that face mankind daily.
The Son of God crossed paths with John the Baptist who was:
preaching a baptism of remittance for the forgiveness of
sins.
Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, taking all of our sins upon himself…
and as Jesus rose from the water…
Mark 1:10,11 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven
being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And
a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased.” It was at
this moment we believe God poured out His Spirit upon Jesus to
prepare Him for the ministry, which was about to unfold.
During His ministry, Jesus spoke to many in parables (stories) so
mankind could understand the truth that was being delivered to
them. The message was the same as John’s;
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to
those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God.
Jesus healed the lame, cured the sick and raised the dead to
demonstrate the authority and power of God Almighty, which was
within Him! Never failing to speak of the kingdom that will
last forever and Glorifying God the Father…
It is important to understand, during His ministry Jesus
was asked many questions and provided many answers, but when
asked: what was the most important commandment;
Matthew 22:37,38 Jesus Replied, “Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment”.
But Jesus went on to
add: Matthew 22:39 And
the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the
Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”. If all the law and the Prophets
hang on these two commandments, then shouldn’t we follow these
important commandments?
Let’s take a brief look at the rest of the laws found in the Old
Testament, if you break any of them are you loving God or your
neighbor? If you love your neighbor, would you have a desire to
kill him, bare false witnesses against him, steal from him, or
even want what he has? Neither would you commit adultery, worship
idols or have any other Gods before you.
Indeed not, not if you love God! You would have concern for your
neighbor, help those less fortunate, reach out to those in need,
treat others in the same manner you wish to be treated, and love
them as Jesus loved us. After all, it was through love, grace and
mercy that God provided a method for the payment of sin!
The Son of God, Jesus Christ took the sins for all mankind upon
himself… Jesus willingly turned himself over to his enemies…
suffering at the hands of the very people calling themselves
righteous; He was mocked, ridiculed and beaten… Jesus would suffer
the most horrific method of torture used by the Romans (Crucifixion).
Death is the payment for sin…
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sacrifice…Payment… Who?
Luke 24: 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of
sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”
About the sixth hour Jesus called with a loud voice, “
"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"
The Son of God willingly
died… they didn’t kill the Son of God… Jesus gave himself
willingly…
The ministry of Jesus Christ lasted only three and half years
before fulfilling God’s plan, paying the price for sin. After he
died he rose again on the third day, and in doing so Jesus Christ,
the Son of God defeated death. Jesus Christ, the Son of God
defeated Satan and has the keys to the door of Hades.
Jesus paid the price for sin defeating death and Satan to fulfill
the prophecy, providing everlasting life with God the Father.
Through our faith we have become the children of God, never to
know death but rather eternal life.
Jesus before leaving this planet asked God to send the Holy Spirit…
the Comforter, the Teacher, the Guide and Friend
to all believers who accept Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit we
treasure is still given to everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as
his or her personal Savior.
We were created in God’s image, and having accepted Jesus; we
have been given the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is a gift, by
God of God, which lives in each believer…
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you"...
Notice the key words; you will!
Understanding the nature of the Holy Spirit, a part of God, living
within us, brings forth knowledge to the very nature of God.
If we hate do we not hate that which is living in us? If we anger,
aren’t we angry with that which is living in us? Perhaps we forgot
that the Holy Spirit is living within us to help, if only asked.
Once you allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen (to grow) within you,
it will be easier to choose the right path… to have a lighter
burden… to find happiness where there was none before… to be
filled with peace and joy that surpass all understanding!
There is indeed victory in Christ… and through Christ… fellowship
with our Father in heaven… all you need is His love.
Do you want to grow spiritually? Are you seeking a closer
relationship with Jesus? Do you seek the knowledge concerning the
very nature of God? It all starts with Faith…
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes
from listening and listening comes through the word of
Christ.
Reference: New International
Version (NIV)
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