The Shepherd Kindly Calls

THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE

The world in which we live is a world created by the Holy God. Upon its creation it was in perfect state. But envy and pride overtook our first parents (Genesis 3). They listened to the devil who enticed them They sinned. Ever since, mankind has been born in sin (Psalm 51:5).

• Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

With the entrance of sin into the world, we are told that the imagination of man's heart is only evil continually (Genesis 8:21). Of this we are reminded everyday. Every misuse of God's holy name, every word of anger, every thought of evil, every crime committed, is a reminder that the world is very evil. A world of people who are caught in sin and who practice sin, is not a very happy world. But the final consequence of sin is far deeper than any unhappiness we may experience while we live on the earth.

By nature, all people are eternally lost, condemned to hell (Romans 5:12). Furthermore, the Lord God tells us that the day of judgment is coming (Genesis 6:13). The wrath of the Holy God is fierce and His judgment is sure (Matthew 25:41,46). The Bible tells us that judgment day is coming. It does not tell us when it will be. Only God knows (Matthew 24:36). But this fact is sure! One's personal judgment day comes when one dies (Hebrews 9:27). The thought of our own death, and the final judgment is not a happy thought.

• Genesis 8:21 . . . The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. . .
• Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. . .
• Genesis 6:13 The end of all things has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; . . .
• Matthew 21:41,46 Then He will say to those on His left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his wicked angels ' . . . And these will go away into everlasting punishment. . .
• Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
• Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed unto man to die once, but after this the judgment.

THE ANSWER, NOT

What is the answer to all this sin, unhappiness, and fear? Some people try to deny the reality of God. If God does not exist, than there is no judgment. But that poses a problem. If there is no God, then why does one have guilty a conscience? Conscience is a reminder that there is a God (Romans 2:15). The very creation itself leaves us without an excuse (Romans 1:20). Denying the existence of the Holy God is not the answer! Others deny the reality of sin. If sin is not real, then there is nothing for which anyone would be judged. Further, without sin, there would be no evil in the world. The rational person knows that is not the case. Denying the reality of sin is not the answer.

But not all deny God or the reality of sin. Yet they do not have the answer either, if they think that they are going to find peace of mind and certainty of heaven by their own works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Peace of mind and eternal life is not gained in whole or in part by the works of men. God is holy. Man is unholy. He who thinks that he can satisfy the holiness of God by his own works can never be sure on this earth that he has done enough. Salvation is not accomplished by personal works of righteousness (Titus 3:5).

• Romans 2:15 . . . Their conscience also bearing witness. . .
• Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen . . . even His eternal power and God, so that they are without excuse, . . .
• Ephesians 2:8,9 . . . and that not of yourselves . . . not of works
• Titus 3:5 . . . not by works of righteousness which we have done. . .

THE REAL ANSWER

The real answer is found in the Gospel. And what is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good news of the love of God the Father. The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved (2 Peter 3: 9). This includes you who read this! He promised a Savior from sin (Genesis 3:15). He sent the Savior from sin (Luke 2:11). The Savior came for one purpose, namely that He, the true Son of God, should destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Jesus kept the law of God perfectly. Yet the Father laid on Him the sin of everyone who ever has lived, or will live in the world (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died on the cross; He died for all (Romans 4:25). He bore the wrath of God (Isaiah 53:5,6). Now all our sins are forgiven in Jesus (1 John 1:7). But what good is a dead Savior? Absolutely no good at all. But do not be concerned. Our Lord Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (Luke 24:6). Jesus restored life (2 Timothy 1:10).

• 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not. . . willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance
• Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed (Jesus). He shall bruise your (the devil's) head, and you shall bruise His heel.
• Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
• 1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. . .
• Romans 4:25 He was delivered for our offenses
• Isaiah 53:5, 6 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone to his way; And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
• 1 John 1:7 . . . and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
• Luke 24:6 He is not here; He is risen . . .
• 2 Timothy 1:10 . . . Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. . .

OUR CONFIDENCE

Our confidence of eternal life lies in the word and promise of the Heavenly Father. He has given life in Jesus (1 John 5:11). He will give eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16). We need not fear the condemnation of hell (Romans 8:1). Therein is peace for the troubled conscience. The victory belongs to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). What must we do? Only believe (Acts 16:31). Our Lord promises in His Holy Word that all who repent and believe shall be saved (1 John 1:9). To such belong these precious promises (John 11:25,26).

• 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
• John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Acts 16:3 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved and your house.
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess or sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• John 11:25,26 I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

WHAT NOW?

Will one ever sin again? Certainly! So long as one is in the world, he sins (Romans 7:21). But the believer in Jesus has a new attitude. He does not pursue sin. He does not excuse, defend or justify sin. He certainly does not delight in sin, but goes to the Father and pleads for the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus. The peace and confidence of the Christian does not lie in a ceasing from sin, but in the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ. He gives the invitation to come to Him for peace and rest (Matthew 11:28). He promises you that as you believe and trust in Him, and follow Him in faith, you shall have eternal life (John 10:28).

• Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
• Matthew 11:28 Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
• John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

DF / JH : 95