The Voice in the Wilderness



Series: 12-2021

CHRIST Our Saviour



1. What is Sin?

Sin is often associated with disobedience and rebellion. In Genesis 4:7, the passage where the word ‘sin’ was first used, states that one is accepted before GOD when one obeys Him and rejected when one sins through disobedience His word. 1 John 3:4 further illustrates and defines sin as "the transgression of the law." 1 John 5:17 states that “all unrighteousness is sin.” Sin is considered as utter disregard to GOD's commandment (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-11). When we sin or live a life of sin, we are disregarding the Lordship of GOD over our lives. Any sin committed is a sin against GOD, including those considered as sin against fellow humans (Genesis 39:9; Psalm 51:4; 2 Samuel 12:7-9).

2. Consequences of Sin

Sin attracts divine consequences. Sin brings death. Paul says that “for the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). GOD warned Adam against eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil because there is a consequence that comes with disobedience of this order. The consequence of which is death ((Genesis 2:17).

There are three types of death: physical, spiritual and eternal deaths.

i) Physical death - the separation of the inner man (soul and spirit) from the physical body. It is a type of death that everyone would experience one day. GOD told Adam as part of His judgement for sinning in Genesis 3:19 "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Moses says in Psalm 90:10 "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Those who will not be affected by this type of death are those believers who will be alive when the rapture (taking away) of the church happens (Matthew 24:36-41; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).



ii) Spiritual death - spiritual death means separation from GOD. It is the loss of fellowship with GOD (Genesis 3:6-10; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 Timothy 5:6). Sin separates man from GOD: because sin is a dirty abominable act, it has no link with a Holy GOD. The Bible says that GOD is "of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on iniquity" (Habakkuk 1:13).



3. The implications of spiritual death

· It means absence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person (Romans 8:9; Psalm 51:11-12)

· It implies absence of spiritual understanding and sensitivity (Romans 1:28- 32; Romans 8:7-

· It results in eternal death - this death is an eternal separation from God which includes spending eternity in hell (Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 13:41-42; Luke 13:27-28; Romans 8:13).



4. Salvation in CHRIST JESUS

CHRIST was born to die in order to save man from sin (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 9:12-14). He as the Lamb of GOD takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 35; 1 Peter 1:18-19). JESUS our Saviour willingly surrendered to the will of His Father: He became obedient to death, even to death on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-10; John 10:15-18; Phi 2:6-. He died in order for our sins to be forgiven, blotted out and also provide the platform needed for man to have fellowship with GOD (Ephesians 2:13-16, 18; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Timothy 3:5-6).

The shedding of CHRIST’s blood delivered and still delivers man from sin and wickedness (Hebrews 9:13-14; 1 Peter 1:19). Those who believe and accept the atonement made possible only through the shedding of the blood of JESUS CHRIST experience not only the taking away of their sins but also deliverance from the power of sin (1 Cor 5:7-8; Colossians 1:21-22-23; 1 John 3:9).



The blood of JESUS CHRIST propitiates for the sin of man, that is paid the penalty for our sins. No one would have been able to do this for man. Man was not qualified. No animal sacrifice could suffice. It was GOD Himself Who came down as a man, lived and dwelt among us and went to the cross to die for sinful man (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24-25).



5. Conclusion

As an individual, what does the death of CHRIST mean to you? If the death of CHRIST means something to me or to you we will yield ourselves unto Him through obedience to His word by living holy and righteous lives (John 8:31-32; John 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 Peter 1:14-16). Such persons are the believers (John 3:16). These are the disciples (John 8:31). These are the Christians (Acts 11:26).

Are you a believer? Are you a disciple? Are you a Christian? The Bible admonishes us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” A true believer, disciple and Christian remains acceptable in CHRIST JESUS and in union with Him by keeping his or her vessel in sanctification through holy living (Matthew 5:8, 10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. 7-. He forsakes the old broad and wide way of life and begins to walk in the new narrow way (Luke 13:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 John 1:5-7).

I pray GOD to give us the grace needed to walk in the path that He has ordained for those who have decided to follow Him and that the purpose for which JESUS CHRIST came into this world be fulfilled in our lives in JESUS’ name.

GOD bless you.


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