Something about our train of doctrinal thought has bugged me for a while. I throw it your way to toss in your view. Mine may simply be off-base. But the thought doesn't go away. I share the text discussing the first man, Adam, and the counter-balance man, Jesus. Adam introduced sin. Jesus introduced salvation from the first man. Consider Romans 5:12-21 but I only quote here :15-17:
But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
My question is why is it seemingly easier to be lost in Adam than to be saved in Jesus? Everyone is lost...no exception...with no effort. All sin without devotion or study as to how to fall from God. Why is the greater man's (Jesus) work so much more difficult to spread through mankind?
The text says, For if by the transgression of he one, death reigned...much more those who receive the abundance of grace.....is the ability of the transgression to spread stronger than the ability of the grace to spread? If not, why isn't the saving power of Jesus creeping into one's life easier than sin does?
I know this sets me up as vulnerable to even raise the question. How do you see it?
6 comments:
Could it be that because we are born with the sin spirit in us that we are naturally attracted to it more than the saving spirit of Jesus?
Oh, I meant to add: Love the book! It's hard to put down!
Jesus did not seem to put as many qualifiers on saving or helping people as we do in the church. We have to "get them ready" for salvation. Jesus seemed to be able to accept them "as is, where is".
I believe the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ (2 Co 4:4). Speaking as someone who was raised giving more importance to what men think than God it was easy for me to dismiss it and never look at the Bible, assuming that it was just more of men. I see Satan's ploy - he is hard at work... his time is short... we need to continue to move the Gospel and trust God that He is calling out the people.... aside from God's word all we have is presumption!
It is natural to live for oneself. It is much more difficult to live for God's glory. One part of the great commission says that we are to teach disciples to obey everything that the Lord has commanded. It does not come naturally. We must unlearn many ways of acting and thinking. We must learn new ways in order to live as God intended.
I do not think we are making it too difficult but we are certainly making it to easy. We are called to make choices about a "new" life and that life needs to be visible and relevant. People need to see a difference; they need to see mercy, compassion and acceptance. Moralism does not cut it. Religion does not matter. Sprituality in the image of Christ is critical.
Post a Comment