God's Pathway #2

Our Condition

God created us to be in communion with Him.  He had a design for our lives that will bless us and bless those around us.  When we follow His path, we experience peace, joy, and fullness of life.  When we choose our own way rather than God's pathway, this is called sin.  This leads to frustration, guilt, unhappiness, and defeat.  In addition, the Bible is very clear about the long-term result of sin.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We all have physical bodies that will die some day (unless Christ returns first and takes us straight to Heaven), but the death that this verse speaks of is spiritual death.  Spiritual death is eternal separation from God.  There is no suffering worse than this.  Christ experienced separation from the Father when he died on the Cross for us.  He said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  (Matthew 27:36)  Then, Praise the Lord, He rose from death to prepare a place for his children in Heaven. (John 14:1-4)

Any goodness that is found in us is a sign that God exists in this world.  By nature, we are sinful creatures with selfish desires.

Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

So what do we do about it?  Nothing....there is nothing we can do to earn salvation.  But we can trust in what Christ did for us on the cross.  He paid our price.  He suffered in our place.  So, let's look at God's provision.......

God's Provision: Forgiveness & Restoration

Step 1: In order to experience forgiveness and be restored to His path, we must first admit to our problem, our sinful nature.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Step 2: We must confess, then renounce.  Renouncing is turning away from our sinful ways and following God's ways.  By doing so, we are blessed with God's mercy.  Mercy is avoiding the consequences that we deserve.

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and drenounces them finds mercy.


Step 3:  Accept God's gift as complete, perfect and forever.  Stop trying to save yourself.  It is futile.  Trust in Christ's finished work on the cross as our only way to the Father.

Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord-and you forgave the guilt of my sin.'

John 14:6 Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.'

Confess your problem, renounce your selfish desires, and accept the gift of forgiveness and salvation through Christ.

Next time, Our Daily Walk....