This is part three in a four part series called Man's Real Problem. Part one concluded that Man's Real problem is sin. Part two declare the Solution to be the promise given to Abraham which in a condensed version is the blessing of Justification by Faith.
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.
This post focuses on the Means of the Solution. In other Words how is the Promise of the Blessing of Justification by Faith made available to whosoever will?
The answer could easily be summed up in two words: The Cross.
Jesus Christ, called the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29) by John the Baptist is fully God and Fully man. This had to be so for the two disparaged parties to be reconciled.
The enmity (hostility) that separated God and man went both ways. Man could not reach God because of it but neither could God come to man. This is so because God can not overlook sin because He is perfect in Holiness and can abide with nothing less. This enmity was due to sin brought into the world by Adam's sin and was likewise removed by one man, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:15).
Because Jesus was fully God and fully man the entire covenant could be ratified within himself and the enmity taken away (Gal. 3:20). This takes man out of the process. We can not reach God by means of the Law (Rom. 3:20) nor by good works (Isaiah 64:6) nor any other man devised method. The New Covenant (Testament) is between God and Christ who was made of a woman, made under the law (Gal. 4:4), so that He might perfectly keep law as a Jewish man living under it for us and exchange His perfect law keeping for our perpetual law breaking. Thus man's good works or bad works have nothing to do with it. Once one is in Christ and partaker of the Covenant one will want to do good works (Eph. 2:10) but this is out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us not so we may earn His favor.
The means by which the promise is made available to all is through Christ perfect Sacrifice at the Cross. The Promise is to Abraham and his Seed, singular not plural (Gal. 3:16), which is Christ. Thus if the Promise of the blessing of Justification by Faith is given to Abraham and Christ then how do we become partakers of the Covenant and receive the Promise which is the Solution to man's real problem, sin?
This is the question that will be answered in part four of this series, "how we may become partakers of the solution."
Watch for Part four soon.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
