Last post discussed Mans real Problem as part one of a four part series.
This post focuses on the Solution. The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
The problem then is clearly sin. What then is the Solution? The Promise.
What is the Promise? I learned in Bible College 101 and every Christian needs to learn that the best way to interpret Scripture is by Scripture and I might add by the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What does Paul say? Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
The Promise is that made to Abraham 430 years before the Law. That Promise known as the Abrahamic Covenant was given to Abraham as God began to make a people for Himself, the Israelites. However, the Promise was extended to Abraham's seed so that the whosoever will may enter into this Covenant and receive this Promise.
Part 3 and 4 will go deeper into 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how all may become partakers of the solution thus we will not endeavour to go that deep this time which may leave it a little vague. It is sufficient to say that, if the seed is Christ the we find the Promise only in Christ and enter the Covenant of Abraham only in Christ.
However, the question remains: What is the Promise? Genesis 12:3 says, And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The Blessing of Abraham is not wealth as some would teach, although he had great possessions. The Blessing of Abraham is shown in Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (bold and underline mine).
The Blessing is to be a God unto him. And further the Scripture says in, Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
The Promise is Blessing and the Blessing is Justification by Faith that comes through the seed of Abraham, Christ, through which God could be a God unto [him].
Remember, God told the gospel in Genesis 3:15, the proto evangelion (Latin), when He said, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Thus, the Promise was given long before even Abraham of the seed whose heel would be bruised by Satan and who would crush Satan's head. That seed, as stated, is Jesus Christ and His heel was bruised and Satan's head was crushed at the Cross. God's Promise fulfilled in Christ. The Covenant complete within Christ, fully God and fully man, who reconciled the two removing the enmity (hostility) that separated us (Ephesians 2:15-16).
Part 2: The Solution, then is the Promise.
Coming soon - Part 3: The Means of the Solution. We have already alluded to it for it is impossible not to when talking of this subject.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Man's Real Problem Part 1
In Galatians 3:22 the Apostle Paul writes, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
In this one verse Paul tells us 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
One of the major problems of the church at large today, especially the "seeker friendly" variety as well as the "word of faith" factions, is that they ignore man's real problem. This is not just man's most important problem, biggest problem, most pressing problem, etc. but rather the root of every problem which are really only symptoms. The world, and sadly, the modern church, creates man made methods for the purpose of solving these "symptoms". They are calling the symptoms the problem in many cases and sometimes what they are trying to solve is neither problem nor symptom. They are merely attempting to give people what they think they want. But, that is another article.
What is man's real problem? The Bible makes it abundantly clear, from Genesis 3 through Revelation 22:21. Paul, here, plainly tells us it is sin. Yes, the word still exists. S - I - N. And not only does Paul plainly tells us it is sin but that it is Scripture, and not he, nor anyone else, that has concluded this fact and that all are included. Sin in this verse has the definite article with it in the Greek which could have been translated "the sin" and refers to the sin nature. The part of us that makes us sin, that we are slaves to. The part of us that we received due to Adam's sin which brought about the fall of man in Genesis 3.
Everyone is born with a sin nature into a fallen world and all commit sins (Romans 3:23; 5:12). When something bad happens to us whether it be sickness or something else it is not necessarily a direct result of a specific sin in our lives. Job proves this as well does Jesus in John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. It is however a result of a fallen and sinful world.
Man has one problem in this world and that is sin. The Good News is that there is a Solution to this problem!
Coming Soon Part 2: The Solution
In this one verse Paul tells us 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
One of the major problems of the church at large today, especially the "seeker friendly" variety as well as the "word of faith" factions, is that they ignore man's real problem. This is not just man's most important problem, biggest problem, most pressing problem, etc. but rather the root of every problem which are really only symptoms. The world, and sadly, the modern church, creates man made methods for the purpose of solving these "symptoms". They are calling the symptoms the problem in many cases and sometimes what they are trying to solve is neither problem nor symptom. They are merely attempting to give people what they think they want. But, that is another article.
What is man's real problem? The Bible makes it abundantly clear, from Genesis 3 through Revelation 22:21. Paul, here, plainly tells us it is sin. Yes, the word still exists. S - I - N. And not only does Paul plainly tells us it is sin but that it is Scripture, and not he, nor anyone else, that has concluded this fact and that all are included. Sin in this verse has the definite article with it in the Greek which could have been translated "the sin" and refers to the sin nature. The part of us that makes us sin, that we are slaves to. The part of us that we received due to Adam's sin which brought about the fall of man in Genesis 3.
Everyone is born with a sin nature into a fallen world and all commit sins (Romans 3:23; 5:12). When something bad happens to us whether it be sickness or something else it is not necessarily a direct result of a specific sin in our lives. Job proves this as well does Jesus in John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. It is however a result of a fallen and sinful world.
Man has one problem in this world and that is sin. The Good News is that there is a Solution to this problem!
Coming Soon Part 2: The Solution
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)