By one Man (Adam), SIN entered into the World. This is why it say's in the Bible "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God". Romans 3:23 You see, we all have a sin nature that has been passed down from Adam when he disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. "And the LORD God commanded the man (Adam), saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" Genesis 2:16,17 Adam ate of the forbidden fruit and basically he DIED SPIRITUALLY and became separated from GOD and was not allowed in his presence any longer.
So by one man's sin all men were made sinners. Guess what my friend, we are all descendents of Adam, So WE ARE ALL SINNERS. God's word say's, "For the wages of sin is Death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our LORD". Romans 6:23
According to the word of GOD, all men are sinners and the wages of sin is death, so all men shall die. But God in his beautiful and infinite wisdom sent us a Redeemer, Savior, Messiah (Jesus) to deliver us from eternal death (separation from God in Hell). Jesus has paid the price for our sins by being the perfect sacrifice for he was without sin. "For as by ONE man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of ONE (Jesus), many shall be made righteous". Romans 5:19
If you'll notice, one of the main topics in the Old Testament of the Bible is the sacrifice of animals and the shedding of blood as payment for sins. Jesus was the perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. Most of us know the story of the birth of Jesus. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus was absolutely without sin (Perfect), because he was conceived of God and not through the corruptible seed of man.
We can think, "Well why do I have to be punished when Adam Sinned ?". This is why God gave the Ten Commandments, to convince and silence all mankind that we have nothing to say against the charge of sin for none of us has ever been able to keep all (or one for that matter) of the Ten Commandments (Our Sin Nature). God counts just one commandment being broken as breaking them all. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all". James 2:10
God expects us to be perfect and why shouldn't he ?, for if we were made in his image (Genesis 1:26), and he is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4), he would not make us imperfect because then we would not be in his image.
So now that we are convinced that we all are sinners by knowing that
we cannot keep even the least of God's Ten Commandments, God made provision
by sending his only son. Can you see how much God loves us ?. God's plan
included sacrificing his only son "For
God so loved the world, that he gave his ONLY begotten son, that whosoever
believeth in him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life"
John
3:16
So Jesus has paid the price and we don't have to do anything to receive this Gift but Believe in Him. Think about that for a moment, God wants to be with us so much because of his great love for us that he allowed the sacrifice of his perfect son. For The word of God say's "For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH (Belief in Christ); and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast". Ephesians 2:8-9
Can you see what great love this is that God has for us ?. It is perfect, unconditional, heaven sent love that we humans have all desired our whole lives.
You may have a question, "You mean I don't have to do ANYTHING for this unconditional love ?". Nothing but what the word say's "That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, Thou shalt Be saved". Romans 10:9
You may think "That's all, confess and believe?". Yes, for the word say's "And if by Grace, then it is no more of works (by doing anything): otherwise Grace is no more Grace. But if it be of works (things you can do), then it is no more of Grace (a gift): otherwise work is no more work." Romans 11:6
If it was by what works we can DO rather than on whom we believe, than Jesus wouldn't have had to die. Jesus' death would have meant nothing if we had to or could work our way into heaven.
"Therefore being justified by faith (Belief), we have peace with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ". Romans 5:1 We truly are at peace with God when we believe with our heart !!!
Question: "So now that I Know that I am
a sinner, can I stand before God on Judgment Day in my sinful state OR
WORK MY WAY INTO HEAVEN BY GOOD DEEDS ?". Never !!
I can only believe and rely on Jesus Christ for my righteousness.
"For what saith the Scripture ?, Abraham
BELIEVED God, and it was counted unto him as RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Romans
4:3, see also Genesis
15:6
Now think about this, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the BOOK of LIFE: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS." Revelation 20:12
You might say "This is a contradiction, the above verse say's we will be judged according to our works ?". There is no contradiction here. WE WILL be Judged according to our works, But the works we do before we are born again and the works we do after are two different things.God says all our righteuousness (Good Works out side of a relationship with his Son Jesus) is like filthy rags.
The first set of BOOKS that are talked about here are books with the names of people who thought they could work their way into Heaven or the Works Books. The Book of Life (also called the Lamb's Book of Life), has the name's of God's Children written in it who realize they are sinners and totally rely on Jesus Christ for their Salvation.
Another question you may have is "Where
do the GOOD Works come from ?". The Good Works are
accomplished through you by submitting your life to GOD the HOLY SPIRIT
who in turn guides you to the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT or Good Works. "For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Ephesians
2:10 God Has chosen to do virtually everything that he wants
to accomplish through Humans, if we will just make ourselves AVAILABLE
vessels.
I have enclosed some information for study about "GOD the HOLY SPIRIT" and his Ministry. The HOLY SPIRIT is real and true and he has changed my life. It truly is a second Birth. This Spiritual Birth is as real as physical birth. In Fact, it is more real than the first birth. It has been the most awesome experience in my life. God Has shown me signs and wonders and so many things that you would probably never believe me if I told you.
Jesus Said: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day". John 6:44 In the above verse, how is it that God the Father would Draw Us ?. God draws us by allowing us to experience his power and presence through the Holy Spirit. Please pray to God that he sends the Holy Spirit to Draw you to him.
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing (Holy Spirit), except it be given him from Heaven" John 3:27 If God sees your true belief in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you and guide you into the path of righteousness. So no matter what it takes, if you have to cry or scream or yell at the top of your lungs, YOU DO IT !!!. This is GOD were talking about !!!!!. For now, forget your friends, your neighbors, your family and truly seek GOD.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Look what Jesus said, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?." Luke 11:9-13 If anyone calls you foolish or emotional, bless them for you know you are doing the will of GOD.
Ask Jesus to come into your Heart before it's too late. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:10 GOD expects you to have a ONE on ONE relationship with him and the only way to have this is by humbling yourself before him and trusting his Son, Jesus.
"And NO MAN hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, EVEN the Son of man which is in heaven." John 3:13 Do you understand what is meant by the above verse ?. What is Meant by "He that came down from Heaven?" It is the Holy Spirit that came down from Heaven. Remember this, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. NO ONE will go to Heaven who does not have the Spirit. The Spirit of God comes down from Heaven and abides with our Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" Romans 8:14-16
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went
up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto
him, and he saw the Spirit of GOD descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him:" Matthew
3:16 This Baptism of The Holy Spirit is the same experience
that has happened to each one of GOD's true believers. The following
Scripture confirms this "But ye are
not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell
in you. Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his." Romans
8:9 None of Who's ?.
Not Gods' Children.
The Holy Spirit will transform us day by day into the Image of Jesus so we can stand before God one day. Look what God said through the Apostle Paul : "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 See also how this is confirmed by God in the Book of Titus "Not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to his mercy he has saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" Titus 3:5
But God even initiates this, look what God say's in the following verses : "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27 You see God knows everything about our sinful nature and wants us to choose to be partakers of the divine nature when we believe and trust in Jesus.
All our prayers are for nothing if we do not have the Holy Spirit to guide us for the Scripture say's "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit" John 4:24
It is very important that we don't play Church but that we BE the Church. Have you ever heard about "The Body of Christ" ?, well the Body of Christ is all the true believers who have the Holy Spirit that truly make up the real Church. Remember what Jesus said "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and OF THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5
I share this with you because I love you and I want you to experience the total freedom that God has given us who realize that we are not under a death sentence anymore. You see, we serve out of Love and not out of fear once we know the Truth. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
"The thief (Satan or the Devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
This more abundant life is accomplished by us coming to the understanding that we are free to choose to live any way we want, but out of Love for what God has done for us, we choose to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope you come to understand as I have and experience the Love God has waiting for you. You CAN experience this love NOW while we are still on Earth.
IF YOU ARE READY TO BELIEVE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART AND CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH YOU ARE A SINNER BEFORE GOD, Ask Jesus to come and live inside you and GOD the Holy Spirit will Reveal himself to you. He is right here in the room sitting beside you, ask him to show himself AND EXPECT TO HEAR FROM HIM !!!!
Remember HE IS GOD and He will respond in HIS Time.
Excellent Link- Great Inspiration and Insight how to Live the Spirit Filled Life !!!!!