“Redeemed” – Lesson Six – Saved By Grace

This article is part 6 of 14 in the series Redeemed

WHY have a chapter on ‘GRACE’ following a chapter on ‘OBEDIENCE’? Is OBEDIENCE opposed to GRACE? Good questions, which we intend to try and answer in this short chapter.

(Before I get into this, let me encourage you to the study “Amazing Grace Bible Study” which is a series on this website. It is longer and goes a good bit deeper into the subject.)

My Dad said some things which I think are important here…
“I do not believe in believing. I Believe in God!” Faith without proof of faith is “dead” according to James 2:24-26. Real or genuine faith is seen in obedience (Hebrews 11). Faith, in order to be powerful must be anchored in something else… not in itself! Faith must be firmly anchored in God and real faith will be seen in actions of a surrendered life. The important thing here is not how much faith you have, for it will grow… it is the object of your faith.

“I do not believe in repentance, I believe in God!” “I do not believe in confession, I believe in God!” “I do not believe in baptism, I BELIEVE IN GOD!” – “He commands these things…. that is good enough for me!”
Radical statements? Yes! But very necessary, sense we often tend to miss the whole point, which is to surrender our life to JESUS in the process!

Salvation is BY GRACE.
No one FORCED our Father to send His Son to this earth to die for us! No one twisted His mighty arm and made Him cry “Uncle.” No powerful politician, or king, or dictator, forced the God of this universe to allow His Son to give his life for us… SALVATION IS BY GRACE!

Things to consider.
Paul says, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

“ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF SALVATION IS BY (God’s) GRACE.” This means, everything God has done and does in saving man, is GRACE. Think about it… God is not under ANY obligation to us! He is not in OUR DEBT! We are in ‘debt’ to HIM! Even when we obey his commands… HE IS NOT IN OUR DEBT! Because even our obedience is imperfect. When we become a Christian, our Christian ‘walk’, is not a 50/50 proposition! We were not saved and given a Bible and told, “Good Luck!” It is by “ONE HUNDRED PERCENT GRACE.

Add to this…

IT IS BY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (Man’s) FAITH THAT BRINGS ONE HUNDRED PERCENT SALVATION.” One is either saved or lost. There is no ‘in-between’
ground. The Bible knows nothing of, “kinda saved”, “sorta saved”, “probationary salvation”, “maybe saved”, “I hope I’m saved” systems. These come from a misunderstanding of GOD’S GRACE. It stems from the belief that His grace is tiny, narrow, and almost not there. THIS IS AS ABUSIVE OF GRACE AS GOING TO THE OTHER EXTREME AND USING GRACE AS A LICENSE.

To hear the Gospel, believe and embrace it’s truths, and turn to Jesus from self and sin,
confessing his name, and being baptized into Christ, are the simple terms of salvation offered by His grace. This obedience in no way EARNS SALVATION… that just cannot be done! Paul said, “5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7).

Why do people ‘pit’ what comes from grace against grace? The Bible speaks of saving grace, singing grace, strengthening grace, praying grace, giving grace, forgiving grace, growing grace, powerful grace, wonderful grace… amazing grace. We cannot buy it, earn it, or re-pay it. We can receive and stand in it… that’s it.

Put all this together and you have a marvelous God who loves us so much that He was willing to take the first step and send his only Son so we sinners could be saved!

God’s plan of salvation, is a plan of grace. It is grace from beginning to the end. A Christian is covered by His grace from beginning to the end, as long as he stays in Christ. The “good works” of the Christian, are not TO BE SAVED, but BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED. Paul says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). These are not, NOT, works of merit… but natural fruit and results of true faith, and love in and for Christ and the sacrifice on the cross which he provided.

Grace is the MOTIVATOR. Grace is also the INHIBITOR (of going back into sin). For after leaving the “pig pen” of sin, why on earth should I long to go back!!! Grace is ROOM TO MAKE MISTAKES (not an excuse to make them), REPENT, AND GROW. Grace destroys guilt and motivate us to a life in Christ.

Works (fruit) of righteousness are altogether different from works (of merit) which can be boasted about. Our works are the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).Jesus said, 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:5, 8, 16).

CONVERSION: THE NATURE OF GOD IN MAN
Conversion changes the nature of a person. God is enthroned – Jesus becomes Lord – the Holy Spirit dwells within and “guides, guards, directs” the life of the Christian. Yet the Christian still has the power of choice… whether or not to follow the Spirit of God.

Does an orange tree eat it’s own oranges? Would an orange tree produce oranges, if no one ate them? So it is with the child of God… He produces fruit (a life, actions, works), not from guilt, or threats of intimidation, but because it is his new nature!

Attending the assembly of the saints, praying, giving, singing, studying the scriptures, being kind, loving, patient, long suffering, joyful, etc… are products of the new nature… not the result of a CHURCH PROGRAM. It is who (who’s) we are, that we produce fruits of righteousness. It is the very purpose of the believer, and as he produces fruit, he is assured of even greater ‘crops’ to come.

SAVED! What a glorious sound. Redeemed, by the blood of the Lamb. Justified by a most marvelous grace of God. Born again, all things become new. All this and heaven as well.

Now, let’s review REFER TO THE CHART: (1) Adam sinned… prophecy of a coming Savior, (2) Abraham’s call… a promise of a coming Savior, (3) The Law of Moses given… the need for a coming Savior, (4) The cross of Christ … The sacrifice of the Savior, (5) Simple New Testament Plan of Salvation, (6) Saved by grace – the ultimate gift of God and conversion… the nature of God in man.

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Five – The Simple New Testament Plan of Salvation

This article is part 5 of 14 in the series Redeemed

To the truth searcher, the one wanting to know what God’s will for him is, this is easily the most important question. You may not understand everything about the Bible, but then neither did the 3,000 who responded to Peter in Acts 2. They just knew that they needed forgiveness of their sins, so they cried out “What must we do?!” (Acts 2:37).

This is why we will not ‘muddy the water’ with other things which so many think one must know. We can study those things later if needs be. Our concern is simply with whatever has anything to do with this all important question. For this reason, we have laid the foundation, showing how God’s plan to save man (which He had in His mind
before time began (Ephesians 3:5-6) came into being.

For sure ‘the plan’ has more to it than “do this or that”, because it involves the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the blood of Christ which cleanses us from sin (Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25; Romans 5:9).

Keep in mind, we will be studying “SAVED BY GRACE” in the next lesson. The reason is because so many think that when we speak of things we ‘must do to be saved’, that we are talking about EARNING OUR SALVATION. Not true! Obedience is not to be construed as ‘earning’. The 3,000 mentioned in Acts 2 which responded to Peter’s message, were told to repent, and be baptized… and when they did, they earned absolutely nothing. They received two gifts which comes from grace… SALVATION and
the HOLY SPIRIT.

Let’s begin…
The word “Gospel” comes from a Greek word which means “good news”. The Gospel does not involve countless rules and regulations. It is simple, and yet it is difficult, because it speaks of a radical change in life. It calls on people everywhere, from every nation and tribe, to place their absolute trust, and allegiance in King Jesus! I hope you are about ready to do just that! The Gospel is ALL ABOUT WHAT GOD HAD DONE to save mankind. God CAUSED IT, DESIGNED IT, PLANNED IT, PURCHASED IT and REVEALED IT. All a believer has to do is RECEIVE IT.

But how is this done?

HEAR THE GOSPEL
We are not trying to be overly simple, nor insulting. It does matter what is heard, and who we listen to… There are indeed many false teachers in this world of 4700 different religions. False teachers teach things which are just not so, but they add a bit of truth here or there, to make it look like truth. This is why we ENCOURAGE you, to not believe someone just because they claim to be ‘teaching the truth.’ It is up to you to study, and test what is being taught, to see if it is true or not. This includes the
lessons being presented here. TEST IT! LOOK UP THE SCRIPTURES! Write down your questions and let’s get some answers.

BELIEVE (TRUST) IN JESUS
Faith in God comes as you study God’s word, and accept it’s teachings. Paul said, “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:15-17). Some of Jesus’ last words (which have been recorded)
are “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 (compare this with Mark 16:15 and Luke 24).

The reason for the emphasis is to show how important all of this is and what it leads to. As we study about Salvation, we are also studying about becoming a “disciple of Jesus” or followers and learners. Disciples are to spread the news to everyone.

Hearing the good news will have one of two responses. Either one will accept (believe) it, or reject it. The choice is personal, and a heart thing. Judging is not allowed, neither is manipulation and coercion. Encouragement, warning and urging is ok, because this is what Peter did on Pentecost (Acts 2:40). Belief is synonymous with faith, and these are equal to trust. There is NO SUCH THING as “Faith Only” salvation. It is not taught in the scriptures. Even though there are many scriptures on faith. The faith spoken of in John 3:16; Romans 4 and other places is A FAITH WHICH IS SEEN IN ACTION. Look at Hebrews 11, and read the whole chapter and see what faith ‘did’. “By faith Abel offered…” “By faith Enoch was taken from this life…” “By faith Noah built…” “By faith Abraham obeyed…” “By faith Moses chose…” “By faith Israel passed through…” “By faith the walls of Jerico fell….” FAITH WAS THE POWER BEHIND THE ACTION! (No action… no faith!) One will either express faith in action or reject faith, which
will be seen in the actions of continued disobedience. James said, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

REPENTANCE/CHANGE OF LIFE ‘DIRECTION’
To ‘repent’ simply means “to change your mind”. Of course this will result in action as well. An unbeliever who repents, has come to believe and decided to change. It is hard to say which comes first, but we know both faith and repentance are very important to becoming a Christian.

The thief, quits stealing, the adulterer quits committing adultery and is faithful to his wife, the murderer quits murdering, the liar, quits lying. The thief begins to work for his money. The adulterer commits to faithfulness. The murderer, becomes a respecter and defender of life. The liar, becomes truthful. When we repent, we are repelled by the former way of life, even though there may be some inevitable consequences of a past life. Luke records in Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” There is no other time to do this, for the truth searcher… than NOW!

CONFESS JESUS AS YOUR LORD
All who were called by Jesus, confessed him openly and without shame. This does not mean a disciple is perfect in this… Peter is one which stands out as an example for this. You remember at the trial of Jesus, Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:34-35, 69-75). Peter repented in tears for sure. Then in John 21, Peter is restored. Later he openly stands up for Jesus, (Acts 2).

BE BAPTIZED (IMMERSED) INTO UNION WITH CHRIST
Baptism is a command (like all the other things mentioned here) of Christ. “Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter said, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Notice what happened when Phillip preached about the “kingdom”… “But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). Cornelius and his household were told by Peter,  “…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…”(Acts 10:48). (Read the chapter and
see that Peter had to be convinced that he was to not only speak to the Gentiles but teach them about Jesus!) Look at the example of Paul, Silas and the Philippian Jailor. “He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized” (Acts 16:30-33). (The Jailor was told to
believe, and then was told what to believe, and then was told to be baptized.)
Paul tells his own story in Acts 22 and relates how Ananias told him, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). READ THE CONTEXT ON ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES!!!

Baptism is a command of Christ. It is an immersion in water, and yet there is nothing special about the water itself. The key to all of this, is in a person’s willingness to surrender, and turn their life over to Jesus, to obey and follow him (be His disciple). If Peter had told the multitude to “Repent and clap your hands three times….” And if Jesus had said this before… then this would be easily understood by everyone, and we would be telling you to do the same! He didn’t say this, he said, “Repent and be baptized…”

Later Paul writes to the Roman Christians about their life in Christ and how one should not abuse God’s grace and continue sinning… “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:3-5).

QUESTION
Do you believe in Jesus? Are you ready and willing to turn from sin? Will you stand up for Christ and confess your faith? Then you are commanded (and encouraged) to be baptized! DO THIS TODAY and YOU WILL RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS and THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32).

EMAIL OR WRITE ME IF YOU ARE WANTING TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN, A DISCIPLE OF JESUS… AND I WILL PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH A CHRISTIAN WHO WILL SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND GO OVER THESE TRUTHS, AND BAPTIZE YOU INTO CHRIST, AND HELP YOU GROW IN GRACE!

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Four – The Cross Of CHRIST

This article is part 4 of 14 in the series Redeemed

(This series is taken from the book “Redeemed” by Jack Exum, published in e-Book format on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/488224 (as well as on Amazon.com).

It is ridiculous, a far-fetched fantasy, the most unbelievable, silly, foolish fiction ever heard, IF IT WERE NOT TRUE! God became a man, and lived a perfect life, was crucified on a Roman cross, and through the shedding of his blood, he provided the way of REDEMPTION FOR ALL MANKIND.

Salvation is ‘By grace through faith’ (Ephesians 2:8). Paul was a highly educated man, perhaps genius… and declares, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” Man’s ‘wisdom,’ falls short of God’s, and His plan to save man, (I Corinthians 1:18-29).

Here are a few things that many struggle in believing… 1.) God created the heavens and the earth! (Genesis1:1) 2.) Noah built an ark. Genesis 6:14). 3.) Abraham was told by God to leave his country and go where God wanted! (Genesis 12:1-4) 4.) The prophet Isaiah spoke of the virgin birth (of Jesus)! (Isaiah 7:14) 5.) Jesus said his blood was to be offered for the remission of sins! (Matthew 26:28) 6.) Jesus’ death was for us! (Hebrews 2:9) 7.) Paul the ‘persecutor’ was converted, and became a preacher (Galatians 2). All of these are TRUE!

The logical, pragmatic, reasonable mind often says, “NO WAY,” while the heart says, “YES!” You can have DOUBTS, QUESTIONS, in your head and FAITH in your heart. As your faith grows, doubts leave, and conviction comes. As Paul said, “… faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17).

The primary purpose of the cross of Christ was to uphold God’s righteousness in forgiving sinful man. How could God be righteous and justify, forgive, sinners, and still retain his righteousness?

How can God be true to Himself and yet justify sinful man? His righteousness demands that someone has to pay the price, and ‘balance the books.’ A perfect, innocent sacrifice was needed – JESUS had to die on the cross. Without Jesus death on the cross, God could not justify saving us, so we would be lost (Romans 3:20-26). Jesus paid it all. Through the cross, God’s righteous and man’s salvation is secured. HE DIED FOR SIN – SO WE CAN DIE TO SIN.

Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). His life was changed just as ours can be changed.
Jesus spoke of this ‘drastic change’ in terms of a “new birth.”

The elements of this “new birth are a ‘birth’ of “water” AND “Spirit” (one birth with two elements) (John 3:5). On Pentecost, 3,000 respond to the message of Peter who said “Repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:36-40). Two commands were given, (1) Repent and (2) be baptized. Two promises were given, (1) Forgiveness and (2) the gift of the Holy Spirit. These believers experienced the “new birth,” and were added to the one body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).

(All references are from the 2011 edition of the NIV.)

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Three – The Law Of MOSES

This article is part 3 of 14 in the series Redeemed

(This series is taken from the book “Redeemed” by Jack Exum, published in e-Book format on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/488224 (as well as on Amazon.com).

The study of “LAW” doesn’t ‘excite’ me. Some may enjoy it, and it’s actually it is pretty important to this whole study. Trying to be saved by it, well, that’s the hang-up! Grace just cannot work under law.

The Law of Moses was given 430 years after God made his promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:17). The importance of this will become clear.
“Law” does three things: 1.) Law PROVIDES guidelines and boundaries, 2.) Law PROHIBITS doing or not doing certain things, and 3.) Law PROTECTS those who are obedient. Obviously this isn’t a bad thing, but Law cannot save us from sin!
Paul describes the situation with NON-JEWS in Romans 1:18-32, where you see all kinds of disobedience and sin mentioned… and even though, because they have moral laws (Romans 2:14-15), it is obvious this law also condemns all who are under it because no one is perfect. It’s not good enough to be ‘a good moral person,’ because of this fact. The ‘law’ of conscience cannot save from sin.

Paul describes the situation of JEWS in Romans 2. They had the Law, the Temple, the sacrifices priests, the covenants etc… but Jews are lost as well, because they cannot keep the Law perfectly either. The blood sacrifices of bulls and goats didn’t take away sin, so they are not any better off than the Gentiles in this respect (Romans 3:20-23).
Law has one purpose, to REGULATE, to make people aware of their sinfulness. It was meant to bring people to the realization, that everyone needs to come to Jesus and be saved by grace through faith… not law keeping, (Galatians 3:19-25). In other words, “ALL HAVE SINNED” (Romans 3:23).

The basic function of LAW regarding the ‘law-breaker’ is to (1) INDICT (2) CONVICT (3) PUNISH. Law is not designed to save anyone or anything. There is no sacrifice or atonement in law… no Redeemer or Savior. “For by law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).

The problem was and is that we cannot LIVE UP to the requirements and standard of law perfectly! Instead of law being a ‘salvation bringer,’ it brings a curse. But, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…” (Galatians 3:13). He (Jesus) became our substitute sacrificial ‘ram.’ Instead of us dying for sin, He did. You cannot earn or ‘out-perform’ that. We are “saved by grace through faith.”
This is why Paul says, “…through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

Gentiles are lost. Are you a Gentile (non-Jew)? Then without Christ you are lost. Jews were lost. Are you a Jew? Then without Jesus (the Messiah) you are lost. All must come to Jesus in FAITH, not through law keeping.
Good news! Jesus came to “seek and save (us all).” Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).

(All references are from the 2011 edition of the NIV.)

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“Redeemed” – Lesson Two – ABRAHAM: Promise Of A Coming Savior

This article is part 2 of 14 in the series Redeemed

(This series is taken from the book “Redeemed” by Jack Exum, published in e-Book format on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/488224 (as well as on Amazon.com).

In Genesis 12:1-4, the LORD told Abram, “Go…So Abram left…” Between the ‘going’ and ‘leaving,’ we find seven important promises from God. (1) “I will make you into a great nation…” (A reference to Israel), (2) “I will bless you,” (3) “and make your name great” (4) “… you will be a blessing” (5) “I will bless those who bless you…” (6) “I will curse those who curse you” (7) “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you”. The last one is the most important, since it refers to the coming of Messiah, the Savior for all mankind, through the descendants of Abraham.

Abraham doesn’t promise God anything, he doesn’t bargain with God, he doesn’t argue or complain, or try and earn these blessings from God… Abram believed the Lord, and he “left” his country. His “faith” in God, IS the basis of everything he ‘DOES’ in reference to God. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, “By faith Abraham…obeyed” (Hebrews 11:8). It is this faith, by which he obeyed God, this faith was “credited to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), and without this faith, obedience is meaningless!
The test of Abraham’s faith where he was called on to sacrifice Isaac, the son which God promised him, was the most critical. “By faith Abraham…obeyed.” Isaac was spared, God provided a ram as substitute, and God knew Abraham’s faith was real (Genesis 22).

It was some 430 years later that the Law of Moses is given, but had no part in the “promise.” Paul repeats the promise, “IN YOU (Abraham) SHALL ALL NATIONS BE BLESSED” (Galatians 3:8). Paul recognized that God’s promise to Abraham as the ONE prophecy of the coming of Christ, resulting in salvation made available to Jews and Gentiles, brought together in one body… the church (Ephesians 1:23; 4:4-6). Jesus Christ was the ‘promised seed,’ that would come and break the hold of Satan on the world.

The PROMISE came before the LAW… actually about 430 years before the Law of Moses was given at Mt. Sinai to Israel. The Law of Moses does not make void the promise made to Abraham. When the Old Law was fulfilled by Jesus (Matthew 5:17-18), the Promise (“and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you”) given to Abraham continued, and does so today, because of Jesus! The effect of the promise (salvation), is not based on keeping (the) law perfectly (because we can’t), but by faith like that of Abraham.

Now, if you have an OLD LAW (system) and NEW GRACE/FAITH (system) IN FORCE at the same time, you have dilemma… You have to make a choice as to which you will follow. You cannot depend on both covenants for salvation.

Christ came to deliver us from the curse of the law, (Galatians 3:13). Paul says His people are a people of FAITH, having been “baptized into Christ,” not a people of the Law. The result is (in Christ) “there is neither Jew nor Greek … slave nor free … male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).

This is the good news, that all who are “in Christ,” are “Abraham’s seed” (‘faith’ descendents) and heirs of a marvelous promise… which is SALVATION through Jesus!

(All references are from the 2011 edition of the NIV.)

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“Redeemed” – Lesson One – ADAM – Prophecy Of A Coming Savior

This article is part 1 of 14 in the series Redeemed

(This series is taken from the book “Redeemed” by Jack Exum, published in e-Book format on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/488224 (as well as on Amazon.com).

Adam and Eve had disobeyed God, which resulted in immediate judgment. Follow with me as we look at Genesis 3.

The progression of sin seen in Verse 6: (1) The tree had “good” fruit (“pleasing to the eyes”), 2.) It would “make one wise,” 3.) Eve took it and got Adam to eat as well. (Compare this to I John 2:15-17). God had ‘provided the maximum’ and ‘forbidden the minimum’, yet they went after the one thing which was forbidden. They found out, nothing good comes from sin. They could not blame God, because he warned them.

Using their example, let’s notice what happened: (1.) Unguarded talk (Eve had conversation with Satan (Verse 1). (2.) She loosened her hold on God as doubt grew in her mind (Verse 3). (3.) She looked (and kept looking) at the forbidden fruit (Verse 6), (4.) She longed for (lusted) the forbidden fruit, (Verse 6). (5.) She induced Adam and he listened, and followed her example, (Verse 6).

James speaks of sin’s progression and says “…each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).
Consider the consequences of sin. As you read Genesis 3 here is what you find, (1.) Innocence is lost (Verse 7), (2.) Shame (Verse 7), (3.) Fear (Verse 8), and finally (4.) Death. They discovered what we all know, SIN IS NOT WORTH IT! “All Satan’s apples have big, ugly worms.”

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23), we all deserve to ‘pay the price’ of death as a result of our sins as Paul says in Romans 6:23. God judges all involved in Genesis 3, the Serpent (Genesis 3:14-15), the Woman (Genesis 3:16), and Adam (Genesis 3:17). Let’s begin with Adam…
1.) Adam: Because he listened and followed Eve’s prompting, the ground was cursed and weeds, briars, thorns result. If he was going to eat, it would not come easily. Physical death was also a result of sin, brought into the world (Genesis 3:17-19).
2.) Eve: Her part in sin resulted in pain in childbearing, and a continual struggle to be in control over her husband (Genesis 3:16). (The curse on woman was NOT about sex… That is not a curse!)
3.) Serpent: The snake is cursed (Verse 14), Satan is addressed for his part in this. Here is the FIRST prophecy of God’s plan to save mankind though a Savior. “And I (God) will put enmity (hate, struggle) between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve) and between your offspring (followers of Satan/unrighteous) and hers (Jesus/ followers of righteousness); he (Jesus) will crush your head (fatal wound), and you (Satan) will strike his heel (non-fatal wound, because of His resurrection)” (Genesis 3:15).
Here we see the first ‘glimmer of hope’ for the salvation of man from the awful consequences of sin. In Genesis 3:21, God provides clothing for them with the skins of innocent animals, symbolizing Jesus, and how he would give his life, to cover the sins of man. This is what being redeemed is all about.

The story of redemption is all about JESUS.
(All references are from the 2011 edition of the NIV.)

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