In part 1, we discussed the human inheritance from Adam, which can feel a little depressing. There is hope though… in this next part, I delve into humanity’s need for Jesus and how only He can save us and grant us that ticket to life with our Maker.
The hope of a Saviour is found in Jesus. Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man. In His humanity on earth, He fulfilled the law that God’s chosen people were required to live by at the time.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8-10 NKJV
He was wholly righteous, but for our sake, God looked at Him as sin, our sin. On the cross, Jesus took on the wrath of the Father so that we could be made righteous. So that our sin could be wiped away and that, when the Father looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Jesus and not our sin. This is the gospel – the good news!
Sin and death (eternal separation from God) came into the world through one man (Adam), but righteousness and life (eternity in the presence of God) were brought by Another (Jesus).
I personally struggled to understand the need for Jesus for a long time – I didn’t understand the need for a middleman. I’ve now come to understand His role this way: God the Father is Holy, by nature, and nothing can exist in His presence unless it can sustain His holiness. In our sinful, Adam nature, we are unholy and simply cannot be in God’s presence. Our nature is incompatible with Him because sin cannot be in God’s presence. Now Jesus comes on the scene, completely sinless and righteous – holy. Though He was spotless, He took our sin on the cross and willingly died. He then rose from the dead and defeated all the evil that was put on Him all so that we could be graciously gifted His righteousness. Using an analogy, I’ll say this: God’s holiness is a refining fire, we (in the Adam state) are wood, and the righteousness of Jesus is pure gold. When clothed and covered in the righteousness of Jesus, we can coexist with God’s holiness.
This is why believers in Christ can boldly approach the throne of grace which contrasts with Adam and Eve who, after the reality of their sin sank in, ‘hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God due to shame’. No matter what you have done, there is no guilt or condemnation in Christ. As a piece of wood, you can be covered in pure gold and boldly approach the throne of the King.
One thing must be made explicit though: God will only see the righteousness of Christ on us when we believe in Christ by faith. What does this mean then? That we see our sinful nature, understand that we need a Saviour and accept that that Saviour is and can only be Jesus Christ. That is a step of faith that must be taken through belief. Only then can we receive the gift of grace and be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Am I saying that believers don’t do any wrong? Absolutely not. The difference is that true believers are acutely aware of their predisposition to rebel. But by faith, and with the help of the Holy Spirit of God, they pursue better. This is the process of dying to flesh aka dying to Adam.