It's a curious thing about people, that what we can't have, we want. Adam and Eve were obsessed about wanting to taste of the fruit of the "forbidden tree' in the garden even though the rest of the garden as there to enjoy. Perhaps even more curious is the fact that God let them taste of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil knowing that they would put at risk their relationship with Himself.
The point of interest is perhaps not about what Adam and Eve did but is about a God who dares to risk His love for people whilst knowing in advance the poor choices that people make. He doesn't give up on us in spite of us. Instead He initiates a road to recovery that is centred not even on what we ought or should do but is centred upon what His Son will do.
Before Adam and Eve left the garden, God prepared coverings of animal skins for them to wear. This act was a clear statement of intent for us, their descendants, namely a plan to lead us home through and by the "perfect lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
Adapted from Ross Smith's book, "It Is Finished". To purchase "It Is Finished" go to www.thevine.org.au/resources.html.
Ross Smith is Senior Pastor of The Vine Church Logan, Queensland, Australia.
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
Give up the struggle
It is difficult to save a drowning person who is thrashing about in the water. In fact that person makes their own rescue all the more difficult if not near impossible. His own effort is unhelpful. Similarly trying to do right in order to get right with God is like trying to rescue ourselves when in fact we are "thrashing about in the water".
God's rescue plan is not dependent upon human effort. The efforts of men could never put right what was put wrong in the garden. Israel could not keep the Ten Commandments in spite of their own self belief that they could somehow keep His laws. In fact the whole purpose of the law was to reveal to them that could not rescue themselves. They needed a Saviour outside of their own effort.
God goes to extraordinary lengths to rescue us. He even intended the Ten Commandments to "be our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified (or made right) by faith." (Gal.3:24). Nothing we can do can put right what only God can do. God goes to amazing lengths to rescue people from themselves. Again it's not so much about even what we have done wrong as it is about the lengths to which God who loves, reaches and rescues us to put things right!
Adapted from Ross Smith's book, "It Is Finished". To purchase "It Is Finished" go to : www.thevine.org.au/resources.html
Ross Smith is Senior Pastor of The Vine Church Logan, Qld., Australia.
God's rescue plan is not dependent upon human effort. The efforts of men could never put right what was put wrong in the garden. Israel could not keep the Ten Commandments in spite of their own self belief that they could somehow keep His laws. In fact the whole purpose of the law was to reveal to them that could not rescue themselves. They needed a Saviour outside of their own effort.
God goes to extraordinary lengths to rescue us. He even intended the Ten Commandments to "be our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified (or made right) by faith." (Gal.3:24). Nothing we can do can put right what only God can do. God goes to amazing lengths to rescue people from themselves. Again it's not so much about even what we have done wrong as it is about the lengths to which God who loves, reaches and rescues us to put things right!
Adapted from Ross Smith's book, "It Is Finished". To purchase "It Is Finished" go to : www.thevine.org.au/resources.html
Ross Smith is Senior Pastor of The Vine Church Logan, Qld., Australia.
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