The mystery of choice in the redemptive plan

Choice is an important topic in the Bible. The first choice made by human beings is recorded in the Garden of Eden. We read the story in Genesis 3. In this video, we are going to spend some time to understand the spiritual mystery of that choice.

The chapters from Genesis 1 to 11 is a quick introduction to the plan of God to restore the Kingdom of God. It informs us in brief, how the Kingdom of God was lost and the plan of God to restore it. Since it is a speedy record, many details are missing.

Genesis 1 to 3 describes how humans fell into sin and the slavery of satan and thus how he lost the Kingdom of God.

These chapters reveal us that sin and slavery to satan was a choice of early humans. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, to reject the holiness of God and they chose the slavery to sin and satan. This incident reveals that choice is very important to us in deciding our future eternal life.

What is sin?

 Introduction

In our modern pluralistic culture, sin has become an incorrect term. There is only right or wrong. And right and wrong are defined in relation to the customs, practices and religious beliefs of different social groups. The right of one social group is the wrong of another group. Thus anything can be defined right in the particular social group.

We have become so tolerant to sin that we call it an inclination of the mind or a psychological mental condition. Even cold blood murder is often described as psychological disorder. Murder is only a psychological depression now.

The new age philosophy has influenced the religious sphere also. Sin is reduced the violation of the peace of the society. Spirituality has become a personal affair of chosen ethics.

Holiness is legalism and Grace is freedom to sin. Separation from ungodliness is an anti-social attitude. Hell is replaced by a short term purification and God’s judgment is a fable. Sanctification is declared as a legalistic burden.

What we are saved from?

Many believers, who are born again and leads a quality spiritual life do not know what we are actually saved from. Some thinks that we are saved from ourselves, some others think that we are saved from satan and a few knows that truth that we are saved from the wrath of God against a sinner. 

From pre-historic time onwards, humans face a bundle of problems without any solution. In fact all human problems that we face today, are not new but a repetition or continuation of what we have been going through from the beginning. And human problems contain an inner paradox in itself.

Born Again

What is the meaning of the Biblical phrase ‘born again’?

This is the question we intend to discuss today.

The best passage to learn about born again is the famous conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus Apostle John recorded this conversation his gospel in 21 verses.

Let us read certain passages from this conversation and try to understand the real meaning of ‘born again’ experience.

Naked and Ashamed

Since no coverings made by man can hid our sins before God, it is more truthful to stand naked and ashamed of our sin before God.

Let God cover our sins with the sacrificial blood.

This is the core of the discussion that follows.

In Genesis Chapter 3, we read:

Genesis 3:9-11

9     Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

10   So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

11   And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"   (NKJV)

Sacrifice of Isaac

Sacrifice of Isaac is a story of obedience.

In obedience Abraham stands foremost to any other character in the Bible except Jesus.

This story presents the sacrifice of his beloved son to prove his faith and obedience.

This is not the first time Abraham obeying God’s commands.

While he was living with his father and other family members in his home town, Ur, he was called by God to move out to another promised land.

He immediately obeyed.

Abraham was a worshipper of Yahweh.

This is very important in the ancient society.

Perhaps Abraham was the only worshipper of Yahweh during that time.

Lordship of Jesus

I am aware that heated arguments are going on about Lordship Salvation and Free Grace or easy believism, as critics call it. Here, I have no intention to take part in the debate. And I see no end to this debate till the coming of our Lord.

Usually it is not my intention to present any debatable topic and take any one side of the debate. I always focus on practical Christian living. I am concerned about the common man struggling under sin and satan. I prefer to talk to them about a practical way out, which is Jesus the only solution to all their problems.

So here too, I am not presenting any theological debate or I am not taking any part in this great discussion going on among eminent theologians. I respect all of them, and I have a mind for either side.

In this message we intend to understand repentance, salvation, born again experience, eternal life, Kingdom of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ for a down to earth practical Christian life.

Redemption – 1 Peter 1: 18 & 19

Introduction

 My usual practice is to present topical Bible studies. But this message is a different study.

This is an expository study of two verses in the Bible, 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 18 and 19.

An expository study presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. And so here we are trying to dig deep into these Bible verses.

 

To start the study let us read the passage:

1 Peter 1 : 18 - 19 

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  (NKJV)

Claim Your Blessings

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.    (NKJV)

Man is a precious creation of God.

God cares for man more than anything else that He has created.

So God is ready to bless man abundantly with all the blessings of Heaven.

God rejoices in a blessed man.

But Heaven gives nothing freely.

Everything in Heaven has a price tag.

Even Salvation is not a free gift from Heaven

This may be new news for you.

So please continue to read.