Wednesday: While We Were Yet Sinners
What do the following texts say about human nature? What powerful evidence do we have about the truth of these sentiments? Rom. 3:9-10; Romans 5:8; John 2:25; Jer. 17:9.
As has often been stated, but is worth repeating, the Bible does not paint a rosy picture of humanity or human nature.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
From the Fall in Eden (Genesis 3) to the fall of Babylon in the last days (Revelation 18), the sad state of humanity is readily apparent. And though we tend to idealize, for instance, the early days of the church before the great “falling away” (2 Thess. 2:3), that is a mistake (see 1 Cor. 5:1). We’re all fallen, broken people, and that includes the lineage out of which Jesus Himself arose.
“The genuineness, and unlikeliness, of this genealogy,” writes scholar Michael Wilkins, “must have stunned Matthew’s readers. Jesus’ ancestors were humans with all of the foibles, yet potentials, of everyday people. God worked through them to bring about his salvation. There is no pattern of righteousness in the lineage of Jesus. We find adulterers, harlots, heroes, and Gentiles. Wicked Rehoboam was the father of wicked Abijah, who was the father of good King Asa. Asa was the father of the good King Jehoshaphat …, who was the father of wicked King Jorum. God was working throughout the generations, both good and evil, to bring about his purposes. Matthew shows that God can use anyone—however marginalized or despised—to bring about his purposes. These are the very types of people Jesus came to save.”—Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), p. 9.
That’s the point we need to remember, not just when we look at others but when we look at ourselves, as well. What Christian, at some point in his or her walk, doesn’t get discouraged, doesn’t question his or her faith, doesn’t wonder whether or not he or she is truly converted? So often, too, what brings about this discouragement is, indeed, our fallen nature, our sins, our shortcomings. Thus, amid this despair we can and should draw hope that God knows all these things and that it was for people just like us that Christ came into this world.
| What Bible promises can you cling to in moments of discouragement and spiritual despair? |
Sources Referenced in this Lesson
Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, Mark, Luke: Volume One. (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Book 1) Available on Amazon.
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Isaiah 1:18 comes to mind. It is very clear that Jesus has held nothing back to save us. So why should we stop Him? We are only lost because we try hard not to be saved. Like we float on water allowing the current to take us where it may. Let us be still in the arms of Jesus to take us where He may. We can be assured that it will only be heaven-ward bound.
And what about Isaiah 55:6,7 or Psalm 51:1,2 and 7-13 and Hebrews 10:39?
And what about EGW's counsel in 1SM p. 337 where she indicates that "We will (often) fail in our efforts to copy the Divine Pattern," and that, "We shall (often) have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus for our shortcomings and mistakes?," and to "Not give up," but to "Pray more fervently and believe more fully and try again to be like our Saviour?"
Unless we recognize that we "often" fail and "often" have experiences of "weeping" at the feet of Jesus etc. we will decieve ourselves that we are "Rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing."
true brother stephan.
Aman.
In light of all of this, we need to repent and allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us daily. Let us, "go and sin no more".
Am humbled with the fact that Heaven is for the repentant sinners
Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Our God is able to carry us through
I particularly treasure Paul's reassurance in (Romans 8:1-4), especially (vs.1)"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." When I look at my own life, there is no escaping the reality that I stand in need of God's saving grace, just as much as those unlikely sinners from the Messianic family tree, including (Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Tamar and David) and every other sinner for whom Christ died. The spotless record of Jesus' earthly life, lived in total compliance to God's laws and with complete reliance on His sustaining power, shows us up for who we really are, SINNERS. I thank God that we were not left to perish as sinners condemned, but that "the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10; Matt. 18:11). That same sustaining, overcoming power is available to us, if we would overcome as He overcame (1Cor. 10:13).
Jesus' offer to sacrifice His own life for us was not conditional to anything man could do to become worthy, but "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). What manner of love is this? Love that is incomprehensible, unfathomable and unsalable. So who is it that condemns? None. "It is Christ that died" (Rom. 8:34). None of us can throw a stone because we were all guilty as charged with a death sentence hanging over our heads, but for the redeeming grace of God through Jesus, His Son. Come to think of it, even those that killed Jesus are recipients of His atoning death sacrifice. "For God so loved the world that He gave... that whosoever believes in Him should not perish..." (John 3:16).
I take comfort in God's promises in (Is.43:2-3), When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned...." God's promises are sure, hence, we have no reason to fear for anything (1Pet. 5:7; Psalm 55:22; Is. 41:10-13). He will be with us as we share the good news of salvation with those who are still lost.
Seeking the lost-yes, kindly entreating
Wanderers on the mountain astray;
"Come unto Me", His message repeating'
Words of the Master speaking today.
Chorus
Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wand'rer back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer,
Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain.
Seeking the lost - and pointing to Jesus
Souls that are weak and hearts that are sore,
Leading them forth in ways of salvation,
Showing the path to life evermore.
Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint and raising the fallen,
Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.
The family of Adam stands condemned of sin “because all have sinned” (Rom 5:12). This sin is by choice in every individual, with exception of One Example, Jesus. He alone from the family of Adam is without sin. The Good News is that we are enabled through faith to accomplish the same righteousness by the power of God working in us “to will and do of His good pleasure” (Rom 1:16, Phil 2:13).
The work of Jesus as the Lamb of God brings to every repentant sinner the salvation found in justification/sanctification through faith in our Surety, and the Word of God. We also have the assurance that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you, having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work". This isn't just speaking about giving offerings, but says "every good work". It is the grace of God that Paul told Titus would allow Him to "purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works".
This is the sure fruit of faith. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.