Reference: Romans 5:6-8
I would say that the greatest majority ofpeople in the world today has heard in some form or another that the man JesusChrist, came to this earth hundreds of years ago and died for the sins of theentire world. Although many have heard this statement, I would say that veryfew among these know and understand the real purpose and reason why Christ hadto die. Have you ever considered the fact as to why Christ died for you onCalvary's cross my friend? The reason why Christ had to die for you and I wassimply because he loved mankind enough to die for them to provide a way that wecould be brought back in fellowship with him. When man fell in sin through theepisode in the garden of Eden, God began to put into effect a redemptive planwhereby we could be redeemed back to him like Adam was before his fall. Theserpent deceived Eve causing her to go against what the Lord God had forbid manto do. Adam was told not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,but the serpent deceived Eve into eating the fruit and Eve in turn gave to Adamand he did eat also. When they ate of the tree their eyes were opened and theythen were consciously aware of what good and evil was. After this happened, Godbegan to inquire of Adam of what they had done. They began to blame one anotherfor their partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.
God then began to pronounce cursesupon them for what they had done. The serpent was cursed and was to eat thedust of the earth and the woman had to bear chidren into the world throughsorrow. She also had to be obedient to her own husband. God also told theserpent that he would put enmity between him and the woman and between her seedand his seed. The seed of the woman was of course referring to Christ Jesus,which is the seed Word of God. When the human race fell into sin, thisseperated them from God. We are told that we are dead in sin and trespasses andwe are held in bondage to it not being able to escape it's power. The apostlePaul tells us in Romans 7:1 that the law has dominion over us as long as we live. Thisis of course means that we in our own power and effort cannot free ourself fromthe power of the condemnation of the law. A person that is not saved is underthe law, meaning that the law has power over them causing them to live contraryto the way God wants man to live. The only way a man can be free from the lawis to die a physical death, but if man died a physical death while yet in sinthen they will be lost, dying in a sinful state. Man cannot free himself fromsin's power, but God in his love and mercy provided a way that man can be freeand regain fellowship back with God. We are told that without the shedding ofblood there is no remission of sin. The old testament covenant stood only inmeats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on themuntil the time of reformation, as so stated in Hebrews9:10. The time of reformation refersto the coming of Christ. The coming of Christ brought in a new and better waythat would perfect man, bringing him back in perfect reunion with Almighty God.Somebody had to die and shed their blood to put into effect a new and bettercovenant, but this person had to be spotless and without blemish as did theanimal that was used in the Old Testament covenant. Not one man was found worthyenough to die for the sins of mankind, because all had sinned and come short ofthe glory of God since Adam was created. The Bible reveals that God wouldprovide himself as the sacrifice for the remission of man's sins. Jesus Christwas the Word that became flesh and dwelled among man. He gave his life a ransomfor all. He shed his blood that put into effect the New Testament covenant. Hewas as a lamb without a spot or wrinkle. He was the perfect sacrifice that wasneeded to save mankind from the sin that would destroy them. He came and freelygave his life that we all might be made free. This was the only way that mancould be made free and regain fellowship back with his creator. He died in ourplace that we might live forever. We are told that through him we can have lifeand that more abundantly. To accept the fact that he died for our sins is onlyacknowledging that we can be saved through and by his shed blood, but just tosay that you believe on him and that you accept him as your personal Saviour isnot what saves you making you a born again child of God. To accept the factthat Christ did die for the sins of the world is only accepting an historicalhappening of the past. Christ is the Saviour no matter if anybody accepts thisfact. If you confess belief on the fact that Christ died for our sins and thathe did rise again from the dead, this makes you a type of person that can besaved if you are willing to walk in and obey the revealed truth of the gospel.To believe that he died for me does not mean that my sins of the past or thefuture are forgiven. To believe and confess Christ as the Saviour is placingmyself in a position that he can and will save me if I will walk in the lightof truth as he is in the light. The false prophet and teachers will tell youthat you are saved at the moment of confession on him as your own personal Lordand Saviour, but the scriptures do not teach this. To accept Christ as beingLord and Saviour is only admitting the fact that you believe in him and thatyou are a Bible account believer, but just to confess this does not make you aborn again son of God. Christ did die for you taking your place on the cross.This act that he did will forgive you of your sins if you believe in him andconfess it with your mouth. Your faith in what he accomplished at Calvary isthe grounds that entitles you to become a son or daughter of God. Yourrepentance from sin and desiring to be a child of God will impart the gift ofthe Holy Spirit in your heart so that he will lead and guide you into all truththat will set you completely free from sin. The religious world today mayaccept the fact that Christ died for them, but they fail to continue on in theword of God for the truth that will set them free. You do not receive Christinto your heart and life based on the fact that you believe he died for you andthat he rose again the third day. The false teacher will tell you to say thatyou accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and that this act saves you making you aborn again child of God, but this is only believing what took place hundreds ofyears ago. Just believing that he died for you is the grounds for forgiveness,but then you must submit yourself to God's word and allow the word to transformyour heart and life into a completely new creation in Christ. We are told thatwe receive power to become the sons of God and told that we are to growinto the stature and fulness of him through the ministry of the word. The falseteacher tells you that you become a son of God at the precise moment that youbelieve on his name, but John 1:12 says he gives us power to become (or to grow) into aSpirit filled son of God through a daily process. We receive salvation throughand by our obedience to revealed truth progressively.....