The curse of sin and death was introduced into God’s perfect Creation when Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden. They listened to the devil’s lies and ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They did so, believing Satan, that they would be like God themselves. Ever since, sin has corrupted and defiled every human being – except Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
The original sin of Adam and Eve has since become human nature; passed down from generation to generation. From our inherited sinful nature stems all kinds of actual sins; evil desires, thoughts, words, actions, and even withheld words and inaction – omissions of good that we should have said or done. Unfortunately, there is no escaping our sin. And the only way to pay for the debt it has caused, is death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)
Thanks be to God that He had a plan to redeem us from before the moment Adam and Eve brought sin into this world. The only way to atone for our sins, is through spilt blood. God made the first move for them, covering their shame and guilt by covering them in animal skins. This was the beginning of animal sacrifices that would form the sacramental life of God’s chosen people throughout the Old Testament. In that, God demonstrated to them that He still loved them, despite their sin.
Right after announcing the curses, God assured Adam and Eve of His promise to send a Savior through their offspring. This was God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who came to bear the burden of all our sins for us. Jesus became our sins, even though He had never committed any sins Himself. He took all sin with Him to death on the cross, paying the full price of the debt of them. Then Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to heaven to rule over all Creation until He will return again to judge all the earth.
Through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross in our stead, He fully paid for all the sins of all people from all times.
To receive this free gift from God, all you must do is repent and believe. The word “repent” means “to turn back.” In other words, to repent of your sins, you have to first believe that God has, and will, forgive you for them. And through the faith that He provides, you will be enabled to turn away from your sins and turn towards God.
Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God demonstrated to us that He did not want any of us to die for our sins. Jesus came to pay a debt that He did not owe and a debt that we could not pay. Thanks be to God!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
(Published on the Devotional Page of the Alpine Avalanche Newspaper on Thurs, April 4, 2024)
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