Skip to main content

Lent Day 2


 Scripture Reading

Romans 5:12-19


This is an important passage for us to study during Lent because it explains the Fall of humanity through Adam's sin and the redemption of humanity through the new Adam, Jesus Christ. In verses 12-14, Paul points out the Biblical doctrine of Original Sin, which means that we are like Adam in that we have rebelled against God and the result of our rebellion was death, both physical and spiritual. In addition to being like Adam in our rebellion towards God, we are implicated in Adam and Eve's sin because we are all part of the human race. So we are sinners based on the fact that as humans we are descendants of the first humans, Adam and Eve. We are also sinners because we have chosen to rebel against God. That is the bad news, but the good news is that there is a gift from God to us. The gift of salvation (or as Paul calls it justification) surpasses the disobedience of all humanity. The gift of Jesus Christ is the gift of a new life that begins the moment we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Through Jesus' obedience to God's law, he lived a sinless life that he might through his death bring us life. God chose to use the death of Christ to break the curse of Adam so that we might receive God's grace. The end result is that in God's eyes it is just as if you and I had never sinned!


Prayer: Let the words of this hymn by Charles Wesley be your prayer today. "And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God should die for me?" Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon Soundtrack Vol. 3

 I've been listening to my usual eclectic variety of music the past few weeks. I did want to mention two new releases that intrigued me this week.  Penny and Sparrow released a new album, Olly, Olly. Cyd and I saw them in concert in Savannah several years ago opening for a couple of other bands and we really like their sound.  Johnny Swim is another band I've been listening to again. They are a mainstay in my study playlist.  I pulled up the Mumford an Sons live album at Red Rocks too. Pedro the Lion is a band fronted by David Bazan. I like some of David's early solo work and the older catalogue of Pedro the Lion. This new disc seems to be an exploration of reflective music. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Grieving With Hope

This past week has brought a sense of heaviness in my heart. My oldest child graduated from high school. She has achieved all that I could have possibly dreamed she would up to this point in life. To say I'm proud is an understatement. Completion of high school also means that life in our family is shifting. It won't quite be the same because she will experience a new season of life that will bring fresh experiences and countless life lessons. As I've talked to Cyd the last few days we both agree we feel a sense of sadness while simultaneously finding our hearts filled with hope for what is to come for our graduate.  Truthfully, the heaviness I feel is linked to other factors. For starters, this week marks 11 years since my Dad died from pancreatic cancer. I'm not a big death anniversary kind of person, but reaching a milestone with a child makes you miss a parent even more. The interesting thing about grief is that for most people, not a day goes by that you don't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 40

Scripture Reading Matthew 21:1-9 Today is Palm Sunday, the day that we prepare for Easter by celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Some churches celebrate Palm Sunday by having children enter the sanctuary waving palm branches as a reminder of this sacred day. Other churches will have people waving palm branches lining the center aisle of the church as someone dressed as Jesus enters the sanctuary. In both instances, what is happening is a visual reminder of the majesty of Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The reaction of the crowd represents their acknowledgement of Jesus as the long-expected Messiah. The greeting that Jesus received (vs.9) was used in Psalm 118 to greet pilgrims as they entered Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles. Hosanna essentially means "save," but was probably used here as an exclamation of praise to Jesus. The phrase Son of David describes Jesus' fulfillment that the Messiah would be a descendant ...
Post a Comment
Read more