The
All-Sufficient Savior
Lesson 2
Contrary to popular thinking, sin is not just a social blunder or a cultural offense. It is the violation of God's law. "Sin is lawlessness" (I John 3:4). Unforgiven sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2), makes us spiritual slaves (John 8:34), and results in spiritual death: "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
God Wants to Help Us
God wants man to be forgiven of sins. God created man for His own fellowship, and for His own glory. But the sin of man separates him from God. God has a purpose for our lives; He has a plan to save us. God's plan and purpose for man are found in Jesus Christ our Lord. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:3-5). God loves us and wants us to be His children. Sin stands between God and man, but God through His love has provided the way to save us.
God's plan -- even before the foundation of the world -- was to act on our behalf by sending Christ to earth in human form, when the time and conditions were exactly right according to His wisdom. "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5).
Moved by love for us, God sent His only begotten Son to take part in our redemption from sin. (John 3:16). Through the passing of the years before Jesus came, God had made known His concern for us. He showed over and over that He was on our side. In the beginning God placed man in a Paradise. He provided him salvation from the flood through Noah's ark. The law was written on stone to guide man, and a parade of prophets, speaking for God to man, were sent to teach us. But the great act of God was to send His Son in human flesh, and lay Him as a baby at our doorstep (Luke 2:7).
Christ -- the One Who Saves Us
But who is this Christ who came to save us? It is important that we properly understand Him. His life is described in the 4 books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And what a life Jesus lived among us! Peter said, "He went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). He was the Giver of good things: food, water, healing, friendship and love. Christ was a "people" Person: He lived to help. There are two paragraphs which summarize His life: Matthew 4:23-25 and Matthew 9:35-38. Take a close look at Christ's life by reading one of the gospel books, like Luke or John, completely.
Remember He is a model for us to follow as we live in this world.
Jesus suffered and died on the cross to save us from sin (Matthew 27:26-54)! These words from the Bible tug at our heart strings as we think that He died "for you and me." But Jesus also arose from the dead (Mark 16:1-8). He died for our sins and arose bodily from the grave, having conquered death. This is no idle dream; this is truth! We have only one possible Savior: Jesus Christ!
The Forgiveness of Sin
God does not want us to suffer the eternal consequences of sin. God desires to forgive all sinners. Jesus takes away the guilt of sin and provides Christians with peace, victory and security. The precious blood of Jesus will wash away our sins (Acts 22:16). He came to "put away" sin; to cancel the debt we owe (Hebrews 9:26-28). The offer of God is "eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). There are two sides to this forgiveness: God's offer and our acceptance. Although salvation from sin is a gift, it must be accepted! To begin to find forgiveness, all believers must repent (Acts 3:19; 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Following repentance, God has commanded all believers to be immersed (baptized) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21).
Through our obedience and acceptance every sin and failure of the past is put aside, and the power of sin is overcome. This does not mean that you will never sin again; it does mean that your relationship to God has changed and that now constant forgiveness is available as you walk in the light of the Lord Jesus (1 John 1:7-10).
Confess Him as Lord
It is this great Creator and Sustainer of all life who also desires to be our personal Lord. And, hearts truly touched by Him are willing to make Him Lord of their lives.
Paul called Him the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:35). Sinners are invited to believe on the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31). The redeemed thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25). The Lord Jesus is coming (I Thessalonians 2:19)! Every tongue -- redeemed and unredeemed -- shall then confess at the judgment that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11). This is a confession that we can make here by our lives when we truly allow Jesus to be Lord! This is done by allowing Jesus to rule our words and our deeds. Have you made that great confession and been baptized? Every child of God has confessed and obeyed. Are you ready to become a child of God?
How precious is the Lord Jesus to the sinner saved by grace! He is the way home to God (John 14:6). Do you know Christ? Is He your Lord?
Allow Jesus Christ to be your Savior and your Lord.
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