by Stewart Topping
Have you ever wondered why the sin that Adam committed in the garden became the reason Jesus went to the cross to pay for that sin? It seems that the scriptures indicate that Adam had done something wrong. We can see in Genesis 3:17; Adam was told not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but he did eat. Adam had two choices; either be obedient to God or be disobedient to God and what did he do? His disobeyed God and he ate of the tree.
Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV) 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Well so what, what does that wrong choice mean to you and me?
It not what we think that counts, but it is what God says in his word. That’s why we must find the information ourselves, and not take the word of another. Let’s look at what God said in the following verses about Gods judgment; we need to take God at his word.
Genesis 3:17 (KJV) 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
So what happened as a result of that mistake, because of that wrong choice;
1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Check out these verses, read them several times and then allow the them to speak to you. Please do not add some spiritual meaning to it which would change the meaning of Gods message to you and me.
Jesus was Obedient
Romans 5:17-19 (KJV) 17 For if by one man”s offence (Adam) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, (Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
So Adam caused the problem that we have to deal with today. He had to make a decision, either obey or not to obey. Our sin nature is a direct result of Adams disobedience. Now we must believe that Jesus is the answer to our sin problem. Remember the verses in;
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
So Christ died for our sins and we are saved if we believed not say I hope so. Pray and ask God to give you a clear vision of what believe. You must believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to be saved! That’s what counts. That’s the key to salvation. It’s a free gift, no charge, no additions, no requirements. God said it, we are to believe it.
Now if you don’t spend the time reading the Bible and studying I think it is hard to really believe.
This might be where the scripture has been misunderstood. We have been told we cannot live a new life empowered with the Holy Spirit because we are sinners; the following verse is often used to support that idea, but we must read on to receive the answer
Romans 7:14-15 (KJV) 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Here is what the Apostle Paul said about Roman 7:14-15 in Romans 8:12;
Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The conclusion is that when we are in Christ Jesus we have believed (1 Cor. 15:1-4) and we can live the Christian life because we are saved. We know that the law of flesh is death, but the law of the spirit (Holy Spirit) is life free from sin and death. We have a helper to help us in our new life. It is the Holy Spirit in us.
What are the keys to living a successful Spirit filled Christian life;
Study to understand the truth!
Pray all the time, remembering that is building a relationship with God through Jesus.
Believe in Prayer as a way to build a relationship with God…
Believe that the Holy Spirit can overcome the problems in our lives through peace.
Believe the Holy Spirit can lead you into correct decisions.
Have you made the right choice?
Believe 1 Cor. 15:1-4