Luke 6:27
"But I say unto you which hear, Love you enemies, do good to them which hate you," Luke 6:27. Last time we ended by looking by just getting into human inability. Though we have the responsibility to proclaim the gospel to all people, we do not have the power to actually save anyone. Only God can save those who are dead in trespasses and sins. So, what is the reason some cannot see and hear, and others can? Are some smarter than others; do some seek more than others; is it the environment they are raised in, or is it God who shows mercy to whom He will show mercy? Do we really understand why the lost cannot hear and therefore cannot respond?
Let's dig a little deeper by turning to Genesis 1:26-27. When Adam and Eve were created they were not saved, nor were they lost. To be saved is to be delivered from the power of darkness and from the penalty of sin. To be lost is not to be delivered from the power of darkness or from the penalty of sin. Adam and Eve were perfect and they had perfect communion with God. God gave them a command (Genesis 2:15-17). Die is a verb meaning to die, to kill, to put to death, to execute. Dying however, was not intended to be a natural aspect of life being human. It came about through unbelief and rebellion against God. In reading Genesis, we see that Eve was deceived, but Adam willfully sinned. This is also in I Timothy 2. "The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell." Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
Turn to Romans 5:12. The word "man" is anthropos; a human being. This is where we get the word "anthropology" the doctrine concerning man. This one man brought sin into the world. Sin is offence, sin (-fully); the practice of sinning, habit of sin. This is what we do; this is who we are, sinners. Verse 12- "death by sin". Death is "thanatos"; the idea of physical death is prominent here, but it also implies eternal spiritual separation from God. Death, both physical and spiritual, has passed upon all mankind. All have been born as descendants of Adam; born of the seed of man. So here we have mankind, dead in trespasses and sins. We are conceived this way, born this way, live this way, and if Jesus Christ does not save us, we die this way, and the consequences are eternity in the torments of hell. Our greatest need is deliverance from the power of darkness and from the penalty of sin. This is obvious. So why is it that people are not constantly coming to Christ? We have always been taught that man has the ability to desire and to come to Christ. Let's search the Scriptures and see more evidence of why this is not true. Ephesians 2:1; John 8:43. Turn to Romans 3:9-12. Righteous is innocent, holy. Man in his natural state is destitute of holiness. This means he never had any. Good is usefulness, i.e. moral excellence. Remember what we have learned in John 3:19? Men loved darkness rather than light. According to Romans 3:12 there are none who have any moral excellence; yet God requires perfection. Some have and will question this doctrine. Here are some more Scriptures (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3).
Stop and think for a second about the spiritual condition we are all born into. We are born lost, totally depraved, totally unable to do anything about it of our own power or wisdom. We don't have the power, wisdom, or desire to do anything about it. We love darkness rather than light. We sin and stack judgment upon judgment against ourselves. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," John 3:36. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God," Psalm 9:17. "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day," Psalm 7:11. The word "angry" is a verb meaning to be indignant, to be enraged. The root means to literally foam at the mouth, to be enraged. Because God is a righteous judge, He shows indignation against evil every day.
We are unable to receive forgiveness of sins by any work we can do. Whether good works or refraining from sin (Ephesians 2:8-9); therefore, we must look to Jesus Christ. He is our propitiation. "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else" Isaiah 45:22. The lost are not able to hear because they are dead in trespasses and sins.
Salvation is totally a working of God, independent of us and in spite of us. This should help us see why Christ had to come, and why He had to die. Life is in Jesus Christ. This life was bound up in Jesus Christ, bound up with cords of righteousness. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Him. Christ lived the life we couldn't live, and He died the death we deserve. Christ satisfied the wrath of God by His perfect sacrifice for our sins. Then He arose on the third day victor over death, hell, and the grave. If God has given you ears to hear, listen and respond to Him. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," Matthew 11:28-30. Turn from your sins and turn to Christ. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," John 6:37. Jesus Christ saves all kinds of sinners, even a sinner like you.
Lord willing, next week we will look at God drawing us to Himself. Aren't you thankful God is Sovereign? This magnifies His grace. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
