06/09/23 GOD'S VIEW OF ATONEMENT

06/09/23 GOD'S VIEW OF ATONEMENT

God created Adam and required submission to His will.
God explained that disobedience would bring judgment, and part of that judgment would be death.
Adam disobeyed God.
God knew Adam would disobey and God knew that disobedience results in judgement.
Adam's sin resulted in immediate spiritual death (separation from God) and eventually physical death, which came to Adam and his children.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

After Adam sinned, he and rebellious Eve tried to cover their shame with leaves and tried to hide from God.

Of course God knew where they were, but God came "looking" for Adam, saying, "where are you."
There was no thunder or lightening or earth-quaking or erupting volcano.
It was God coming down to meet with Adam and Eve, as He was accustomed to doing.
God did not send a hurricane or a tornado, ripping the foliage out of the ground and He did not explode on the scene, splitting rocks.
God came looking for His lost creation, and He came in love, even though His judgment would change human existence forever.

This was the first sin, the first rebellious act, the first insurrection of man and God came looking for Adam quietly.
If there was ever a time for an angry god to show His sovereign displeasure, THIS WAS IT.

Yes, God does get angry with sin and sinners.
Yes, God does condemn sin and sinners.
Yes, God does judge and exhibit wrath and even vengeance.

BUT God IS love and God is merciful and God is kind and God is patient.
Death and judgment are the self inflicted results of sin for all mankind, even as it was with Adam, and God is the Judge.

God did come down to confront Adam and Eve.
God did come down to execute judgment.

BUT GOD CAME REDEMPTIVELY.
God knew where Adam was.
God knew what Adam had done.
God knew what He was going to do to Adam and the entire human race.
God knew how it was going to turn out for Adam.
But God came, not only with justice and judgment, He came with love, hope, promise.
God does not want man to die (be separated from God), either in this world or eternally.
God sent His Son to SEEK and to SAVE the lost.

God will use blessings to draw the lost to Himself.
God will use suffering to drive the lost to Himself.
God gave His Only Begotten Son to die for the sins of the entire world and He does not desire that any should perish, but that all should turn to Him in faith and turn from sin.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but no one needs to do that.
Jesus came to take away our judgment, our sin, our guilt, our condemnation.
God does not want wrath, but redemption.
God does not want condemnation, but forgiveness.
God does not want separation, but reconciliation.
God does not want cursing, but blessing.
And God has done everything to provide salvation for all men.
All that is required is that we turn to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Not only are we not required to earn our salvation, WE CANNOT earn our salvation.
We are spiritually bankrupt.
Our salvation requires the miraculous intervention of God.
If we do not accept His loving offer of salvation we will face His fearful judgment and wrath.
Do not perceive God as an angry, vengeful tyrant, eager to punish you.
See Him as He is, a Loving Father seeking to redeem you and deliver you from your sin and eternal suffering.

The conclusion of the matter is left up to you.
He will either be your Savior or your Judge.