For no word from God will ever fail.
Summary: In Part 1, we looked at what it means to sin, and what it meant that Jesus was without sin (1 John 3:5). In this part, we look more closely at what that means for us today.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Shortly after that, he created mankind (Genesis 1:26).
It appears, from the Genesis text, that God originally made man in such a way that he was able to fulfill the law that Jesus talks about in Matthew 22:37-40. Adam and Eve loved God with all their hearts, souls, and minds until the serpent slithered onto the scene.
Once they had a taste of doing things their own way, there was no putting the genie back in the bottle. Their love of God was compromised. They had learned to put self-interest first.
Years ago, my wife and I had a dog named Shadow. Shadow was a gentle dog of mixed breed who was obviously part Labrador.
When we brought her home as a puppy, we decided that it would be better if she didn’t learn to eat “people food.” Our thought was that it would be better for her and for us if we were able to control her diet.
Our plan worked for almost a year, then a certain sister-in-law, who will remain unnamed, attended a family gathering at our house and broke our cardinal rule: She fed Shadow people food. The dog was never the same.
Shadow loved food and ate whatever she could find. Anything left unattended on the countertop was fair game. As time passed, Shadow grew … and grew and grew. Eventually, we tried to get her back on a strict diet, but it was too late. Diabetes had set in, and for the last two years of her life, she was on insulin shots. Finally, she had to be “put down.”
That was a sad day.
I suppose God felt the same way when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree. Once we had learned to sin by putting ourselves first, we could not unlearn our taste for sin. We needed an intervention — we needed Jesus.
And so, in the little town of Bethlehem about two thousand years ago, the baby God had conceived in Mary was born:
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:6-7)
Application: God didn’t abandon us. He sent his Son to save us.
Food for Thought: How long did it take for Jesus to change the world?
How long did it take for Jesus to change the world?
That’s a very interesting question because I went “six ways from Sunday” thinking about it :). At first I thought about His direct and indirect effect on the world, then I thought about how the prophesy of the Messiah changed the world, and so I eventually landed on this:
I think if I look at Luke 2:14 I find this verse which is often said during this season:
Luke 2:14
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Interestingly enough, when I was a child I thought that verse meant something to the effect of “you can relax.” Now I understand it to mean that, through Christ, we can have peace with God. Not because of something we have done, not because we have been given a free pass, but because our sin is not counted against us, that debt has been paid by Christ. We are now free from sin and can be transformed by Him into His likeness, and by this grace we can have peace with God.
I think that in itself changes the world. Understanding this means one has to choose to follow Christ or serve themselves. It forces the decision, to step into the light or retreat into darkness. Also though, it changes the world because it offers hope.
So when I think about “when” hope began, I have to look back into Genesis, just after the fall.
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.
This verse doesn’t sound hopeful for the serpent, but for Adam and Eve, it does. God let them know from the start that He would send a Savior to defeat evil. So when they departed the garden, they departed with hope. They passed that hope along. As long as there has been some that believed and obeyed in that hope, mankind has continued to live. I think a good example of this is Noah. He believed in that hope, He trusted in God, even though the rest of mankind did not.
Thank you, Chris!
I like how you dove in and explored the “six ways from Sunday!” 🙂
I like your dog illustration brother. Very effective – although sad. And good comments as always CH.
To the question, I guess it depends on our definitions. But one could say He changed the direction of the world in a moment on the cross identified with the victory cry “it is finished.” But we still live behind enemy lines waiting to taste the final victory when we are in His presence and ultimately when He rules on this earth and then forever in the New Heaven and Earth.
Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you, Rich!
Yes, I like your point – he did change the direction of the world.
How long did it take for Jesus to change the world?
The change began as God spoke into the hearts of the Magi who would come seeking the child who had been written of in Isaiah.
Scripture was fulfilled:
Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Luke 2:6-7, Jesus “God” chose to be born, wrapped in cloths, and
placed a manger
Luke 2:8-20, The angel’s appeared to the shepherds who came to
worship Him.
Matthew 2:1-8, The Magi came, presented gifts and returned home.
Matthew 2:9-12, Herod sought to find and kill Jesus.
Matthew 2:16-18, Herod gave orders to kill all boys 2 years and
younger.
Matthew 2:13-33, Mary and Joseph fled with to Egypt with Jesus.
The birth of Jesus Christ brought immediate change which continues to this day, as God provided the way to salvation to ALL who would choose to receive His Son Jesus Christ.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Thank you, Ron.
I like the idea of continuing change!