Weekly Devotional 4-4-16 The End Of Alienation
From Genesis we learn that Adam disobeyed God and suffered immediate spiritual death (figurative for spiritual separation). Adam became so spiritually separated from holy God that God likened it to death. Just as physical death separates one from all that is living, so spiritual death separates one from God. This is why Jesus, in His dialogue with Nicodemus said, “3Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)…. “5Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ” (John 3:3….5-6). Because of sin man is not only dead toward and separated from God, bringing spiritual darkness, but is also alienated from Him. The progression of sin, commenced in Adam, was so drastic and rapid that Adam and Eve’s first offspring, Cain, because of jealousy and anger, killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8).
This condition of alienation toward God was not exclusive to Cain for we read from Genesis 6:5-8; “5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’” (NKJV). Further, as Paul in his letter to the Romans informs us, this alienation is inclusive of all persons; “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (NKJV).
But, Paul by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit informs us that when we were trapped in this state of being, that is of being alienated from Him and dead in our sins, God intervened and made us alive. He adds that it was by His grace we were saved, through faith; that it was not of ourselves, not of our works, but it was the gift of God. (See Ephesians 2:1-10). Our alienation toward God has been overcome; not because of our works, but by His work. Like Noah who found grace (unmerited favor) in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8) so have we who have believed God and trusted in His provisional work.
Adam and Eve attempted to hide their sin by the provision of their own hands. Cain offered a sacrifice that was not acceptable to God in that it was a bloodless sacrifice. Mankind from Adam and Eve’s time until now try to become acceptable to God by their own provision or works of one kind or another. However, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22). Not just any blood, but the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We read from Hebrews 10:1-10; “1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure’. 7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ 8Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), 9then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (NKJV).
Oh what love! That Jesus, God the Son, would shed His blood to accomplish the otherwise impossible; the reconciling of man with God. Not all men, but those who would and will look to Him for salvation. Jesus Himself affirmed this in His discourse with Nicodemus, Consider; “14As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9), even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ‘18He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God’” (John 3:14-21 NKJV).
Having just celebrated Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection this season; may each of in whom alienation has been ended be reflective and appreciative of His sacrifice on our behalf throughout this year, and for the rest of our lives.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Evangelical Free Church www.efreebible