Brother Paul
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- Joined
- Aug 1, 2012
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- 1,046
Let me capsulate my understanding and then make an analogy. In truth, once we sin (and all will sin) OUR sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). He does not separate from us because we sinned, we cause ourselves to be separated because sin cannot dwell in His presence. So because ALL have sinned we are all ALREADY on our way to our self inflicted condemnation (which God takes no pleasure in). Thus we are all going to the eternal death in Hell.
Now God in His love and mercy has kept the sure word of His promise (Genesis 3:15) and sent us the Redeemer to buy us back. Jesus is thus the solution not the problem. The Gospel is NOT accept Jesus or be sent to Hell, it is YOU ARE GOING TO HELL accept the provision of escape. That there is now such a provision IS the good news.
Now for the analogy. Imagine if you will you are on top of a skyscraper and though your loving parent has told you "Thou shalt not step off the skyscraper for in the day you do, you shalt surely Ssspppllaaatttt!" but our self willed self lording brain says I can do it...I will not surely sssppplaaattt! He just does not want me to be a lord like Him. So then you step off...and are now plummeting to your Sssppalllattt! Suddenly realizing "Uh oh...splat is coming for sure" but you hear a loud call "I have a net that can catch anybody - do you want me to use it for you?" If you reject the only net that saves then Ssspppllaaat! If you accept the net you are saved are given a new life. Jesus is the net...cherish your new life...Amen
Now God in His love and mercy has kept the sure word of His promise (Genesis 3:15) and sent us the Redeemer to buy us back. Jesus is thus the solution not the problem. The Gospel is NOT accept Jesus or be sent to Hell, it is YOU ARE GOING TO HELL accept the provision of escape. That there is now such a provision IS the good news.
Now for the analogy. Imagine if you will you are on top of a skyscraper and though your loving parent has told you "Thou shalt not step off the skyscraper for in the day you do, you shalt surely Ssspppllaaatttt!" but our self willed self lording brain says I can do it...I will not surely sssppplaaattt! He just does not want me to be a lord like Him. So then you step off...and are now plummeting to your Sssppalllattt! Suddenly realizing "Uh oh...splat is coming for sure" but you hear a loud call "I have a net that can catch anybody - do you want me to use it for you?" If you reject the only net that saves then Ssspppllaaat! If you accept the net you are saved are given a new life. Jesus is the net...cherish your new life...Amen