GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 387 August 31, 2011
WHY JESUS HAD TO DIE
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8.
Just look at the answer provided for us in Romans 5:8. The TITLED VERSE points it out that Christ died because we are sinners. If man was to be saved from His flesh, it was necessary that Christ died. No other way could man pay the required penalty and be released from deaths bondage.
There is no other way! Due to the natural birth of the flesh, sin lives within the flesh. Man, cannot please God in the flesh. Mankind must have a new birth. Man needs to be born again; not of his parents but from above, by the Heavenly Father.
Paul pointed out our sinful tendencies in Romans 7:18: "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of good is not." While, Paul wanted to, he just could not do good.
Housed within the flesh, man's spirit wants to do good; even, thinks he does good. But. he can't. Man's spirit is in bondage; held until he becomes free by trusting in what Jesus did for him by dying on the cross.
That's why Jesus had to die; to release man's spirit from bondage. And, as the song goes, the longer I serve Him, the sweeter and better it goes. I appreciate what He accomplished for me and for all who trust in the work of His Son, Jesus.
I have clearly learned that the flesh present a paradox to anyone who wants to do what the Bible demands. We see what to do, but our flesh denies the doing. The flesh is contadictory to spiritual matters. And, Paul wants us to grasp this fact. "...I find then a law, that, when I would do do good, evil is present witih me. For I delight in the law of God after the inwarded man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Well, Paul points out man's weaknesses. It's his fallen flesh. So, man changes the way of salvation, basing it upon our doing things; in order to secure God's blessings. Therefore, it is extremely important to read Paul's next statement in 7:24. "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Verse 25 answers quickly what is required. "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." The Bible settles the paradox; but, we must understand what took place and not think for ourselves; that is, that we can accomplish anything for the Lord. What we have to do is listen to what the Word of God states; believe it and trust it, alone. Paul, once again: "So, then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Rom. 7:25b).
Christ was aware that He alone could pay for man's sin; even, "before the foundation of the world" (I Pe. 1:20). Further, while on earth, Jesus taught the truth of service. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mt. 26:41).
Jesus prayed that man might understand why He came to earth. It was to rescue man. To do this, Jesus had to take upon flesh, becoming man, if man was to be saved from sin. Jesus was a fulfillment of the Old Testament; as Hebrews 2:17 says, "In all things it behoved Him to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, TO MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE."
The Old Testament shows a need for daily sacrifices. But, now, the Book of Hebrews tells that offerings of blood sacrifices for the sins of the people are no longer needed. Why are they no longer needed? Because Jesus came to earth and, He died for man's sin. "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation," Hebrews 9:28.
So, don't trust in the flesh. But, if anyone thought that the flesh could do God's will, it was the Apostle Paul. Fortunately, he learned the lesson, completely. After being struck down on the road to Damascus, Paul changed his Theology from the Law to grace. Paul had come to know that "by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the Law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20).
While, the Bible, consistently shows of Jesus dying for our sins, we cite the Book of Ist John:4:2. John avows, "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God."
Because Jesus came to save man, John wants us to know what it means. John wants us to know that Jesus settled the matter, instructing us in the work of Christ. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:" (1st Jn. 5:1). We're just waiting for the glorified body at the Second Coming of Christ.
Further, as long as man remains a created being and, not a born again being, he shall always be a sinner. A major point on this is: 'If you were placed in the "Garden of Eden," you would have disobeyed God, just as Adam did. In fact, if the Lord created a thousand men and put them in care of the creation, it would result in sinful disobedience. '
Yes, the spirit of man wants to do what God says, it's just that he can't. Man cannot be obedient in the flesh and by doing fleshly things. There is a need for man to have birth of his spirit; which, releases man from Satan's control, eternally.
Thus, Paul's Roman Road is so instructive to salvation that we list a few of what Paul taught. First, "...there is none righteous, no, not one..." Romans 3:10. Then, Paul learned that "...all have sinned, and, come short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. And, how happy Paul was when he finally learned of God's love. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," Romans 5:8.
If man doesn't trust in God's provision for sin, he shall forever be separated and remain in death. But, we preach Christ and you must learn what He did for you. Study this vivid picture: On the cross, with one hand, Jesus grabbed the Father's hand; and, with the other hand, He took hold of every sinner in the world. In His eternal grab, man is forever saved. The Man-God united man and God, once again." But, it takes man to trust in the Savior. Do you believe? Have you trusted in His death and know that you are saved?