Our needed cure

The Bible accurately gives an accusation against every person living. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every one of us is guilty of committing sin. Wrongs are committed in our lives, resulting in being guilty of sin.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” Further, Jeremiah 10:23 states, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” There can be no doubt that the guiltiness of sin abides upon all of us. Along with this guilt, none of us are capable of finding the needed relief for our sins all by ourselves. A very strong part of this tragedy is, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

But long ago, an announcement was made that told mankind of their needed cure. John the Baptizer had been baptizing people at Bethabara beyond the Jordan (John 1:28). Verse 29 concerns the announcement John made the next day. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” When Jesus came into this world to provide salvation from sin, God demonstrated just how great His eternal love is for us. “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).

Because of the crucified and risen Son of God, salvation is now available in Jesus Christ. But please be aware that this salvation is available only through Him. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

God’s plan for redeeming man from his sin was His eternal plan, not a last-minute decision. Notice that 2 Timothy 1:9, 10 says that God “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

This salvation from our sins that God provided in Jesus was given by His wonderful grace. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

But the New Testament also reveals to us that this wonderful grace is bestowed upon those who will obey His commandments. Jesus commanded, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). After all, Jesus suffered for our sins and shed His blood for our forgiveness. Should we not feel a responsibility to obey Him? Hebrews 5:9 says, “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Colossians 2:12 and 13 says we are “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”

After I have obeyed His command of baptism (Mark 16:16), I am to continue to live faithfully for Him (Revelation 2:10). Since this ability for salvation comes by the grace of God, why would I even consider not giving my life to Him in obedience, worship and faithful service? He truly is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”