The Good News
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
In the beginning God created all things, the prize of which was humanity, created in His image. We were created to have intimate fellowship with God. In the garden, humanity gave way to temptation and deliberately violated the law of God. As a result, the curse of sin was levied against us, the most serious point being separation between God and man. We were born into the curse that God placed on Adam. The very best we have to offer is as filthy rags to the Lord. (Isa. 64:6) We are dead. (Romans 5:12-19 is a great exposition of this.) We are enemies of God.
Knowing that a price must be paid for sin, God established a system whereby man would know the Law of God and therefore know his offenses against Him, offer sacrifices of atonement, have a mediator between God and himself and a designated place of worship. The Law that God gave further emphasized the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Despite his greatest efforts by some truly great men and women, man was not able to conform to God’s standard. This was not a failed system, but a shadow of God’s greater plan (Hebrews).
Jesus Christ was the culmination of salvation. He did not abolish the Law, but fulfilled it. He himself was the only pure and perfect sacrifice capable of bearing the wrath of God. He was the perfect priest who did not need a mediator but has become ours. Through his work the Holy of Holies has now been opened up to all whose sins have been atoned for by Jesus. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, was unjustly crucified on our behalf and victoriously conquered sin and the grave by rising three days later.
None of this was a surprise to God. Before the foundations of the world he formulated His plan. God, because of His good pleasure, works in the heart of man and draws him to Himself. Without this act of God, no man would turn to God in his sinful state. (Romans 8:28-30; 9:11-13; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9) Therefore, when faced with our sin problem, we must turn and submit to Christ. Salvation is found by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the sole source of our salvation, not by works so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9) Evidence of this is repentance and a pursuit of following Christ in discipleship.
One day the reconciliation of all things will be completed. Even all creation groans for this day. The believer has great hope in the security that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. Christ will return for His bride, bring final judgment and usher us into His eternal rest.
