It is the glory of God this morning, that the results of the fall of man was met by the goodness of God, who leads man into the valley of decision, where he meets God, after being separated from God, by sin. Scripture tells us, and these are very powerful words this morning, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them, that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Yesterday we spoke about the reality of whom the one who would come in the likeness of Melchisedec, as it is written in Hebrews 7:16: “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” In verse 22 we read these powerful words this morning. “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Then in verse 24&25 these powerful words are recorded. “But thisman, because he continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” In eternity past God saw the result of sin in the world, was moved with compassion and sent his Son into the world, that we might be reconciled to God by the divine intervention of God on our behalf. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friends.” John 15:13 We also see in Romans 5:6-10 these very powerful words. “For when ye were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet preadventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Through the sin of one, all die, but by the righteousness of Christ who was without sin, as many as come to Him will be reconciled to God and have eternal life together with Him and all who believe on Him. Listen to these powerful words this morning in Romans 5:12-17: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (For until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Think of this: Adam had one prohibition; he was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day he would eat of that tree, he would die and so death came upon all because Adam sinned. “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more,(notice that) the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. FOR MY ONE MAN’S OFFENSE DEATH REIGNED BY ONE; MUCH MORE THEY WHICH RECEIVE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE AND THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL REIGN IN LIFE BY ONE, JESUS CHRIST.)

When we look back to Abraham, in the Old Testament, we see that he was asked by God in Genesis 22:2-3 to do what would actually happen in eternity future. “Take now thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah: and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and calve the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.” It is interesting that on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.” As Isaac and Abraham went forward alone, with the wood, fire, and the knife Isaac asked the question, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham’s reply is amazing, and listen to the words. “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Isaac was laid upon the altar of rocks there where he laid the wood on the alter, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. Abraham stretched forth his hand, took the knife to slay his son, and the Angel of the Lord called out unto him. “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God: seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only begottenson from me.” I ask you a question this morning. Have you gone into the valley of decision, knowing now that God sent His Son into the world, the just willingly going to the cross to die for all who sinned, the ungodly, and to save them to the uttermost as they come to Him by faith. What did God do? He offered up his only begotten Son for you, that you should not be eternally separated from God because of your sin, but paid for your sin with the sacrifice not of a sinner, but with Jesus, his own Son, who was offered, and did die, but sin could not hold him, and he rose again making a way for you and me to come to him by faith. Have you come to the cross yet, or even more important, have you asked Christ to come into your heart, the just dying for the unjust, bringing justification with the forgiveness of sin? Today is as good a day as any to do that. Lord Jesus, Come into my heart and save me, not only that you would give me forgiveness, but that my life would be reconciled to God by faith in the work of atonement, (sins payment) would be accomplished, so that I know that I am accepted in Christ. I realized when I got saved, came to Christ, that the joy of redemption is real and the gift of grace transforms a life, and the longer I have been saved, the more I understand what the mercy of God is all about. Our life is made new each day, and old things pass away. If I fail, I repent. But there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, and the Lord is faithful to open our eyes to the scripture wherein we discover the life we have been ordained to live, with Christ leading us in the way we should go, and He also sends the Spirit into our hearts, who opens our eyes to those things that belong to God. The law included the offering of sacrifices unto God, until the Son came into the world and was offered upon the cross. There is no other way for a man to come to God but by Jesus Christ and Him crucified on your behalf. Receive grace, not the law, for by the law comes the knowledge of sin, but by the grace of God, righteousness is imputed to us and we are set free from the bondage that sin had upon us. God bless you today, and if you ask Christ into your heart, write me or tell someone that you have made that decision. Maybe even they then will also decide to come to Christ. I will pray for you also.