Salvation

Genesis 3 tells us of Man's original downfall, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge, and from this point, Man and God became separated by Sin. We, as descendents of Adam, inherit this sin in our blood and so fall short of the Glory of God.

Genesis 3; 6-11 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?'' So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.'' And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?''

Until the time that Jesus came, man was bound by the Mosaic Law. This was intended as a way back to God, but the now imperfect man was unable to keep to this Law. To atone for man's sin, God required a blood sacrifice, but the constant failure by man to live by the Law created a never ending cycle of sin and sacrifice. Sacrifice became a matter of routine rather than an act of faith (Heb 11;4) and so became an ineffective way to atone for our sins.

Heb 10; 1-4 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purged, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

What was needed was a 'once and for all' human sacrifice of pure blood. The trouble was that there was no such person on Earth. All of mankind was tainted by sin. Yet God loved us so much that He needed a way to allow us to get back to Him. So God provided His own Son Jesus - sinless and of pure blood - as that sacrifice. Therefore it is through the blood of Jesus that we now find our way back to God.

Heb 10; 12-14 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

So there we have it. The only way to experience the personal and intimate relationship with God is through Jesus Christ. Jesus died in our place that we might live. Nothing we do, or don't do, will bring us back to God, save having faith in Jesus and trusting Him totally with our lives. We need to surrender ourselves to Christ.

If you haven't got a personal and intimate relationship with God. If you don't have Jesus in your life. Then now is as good a time as any to set things straight with God. You would do well to visit your local church, but in the meantime you might like to pray this prayer accepting Jesus into your life.

Lord Jesus,
I admit that I am a sinner,
and fall short of God's glory.
I am truly sorry for the things I do against you,
and ask your forgiveness.
I realise that the only way to God is through You.
Please come into my life from this moment,
and guide me the rest of my days.
I accept you as the only true Son of God,
and the only Way to salvation.
In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.