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NASB | Genesis 1:26 ¶ Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:26 ¶ Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth." [Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3] |
Subject: So...what is your theory? |
Bible Note: Part 2 GOD'S MEANS OF SAVING MAN God could have simply executed the punishment of the law upon rebellious man – but He didn’t. God does not owe man even the first chance at salvation – God is under no obligation to man at all. Yet, He has not left us in our lost situation. He has an eternal plan to bring the greatest good out of man’s evil. That plan is wrapped up in a person – the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was completely unique – He was not simply a prophet or a good man, He was God the Son in human flesh – the God-man. He was totally without sin – He perfectly obeyed all of God’s law. Hence, He was not under the curse of death. Death had no power over Him. Yet, He died. Why? Jesus voluntarily laid down His life as a substitute. Since He did not have to die, He voluntarily took the place of all those who believe in Him throughout the ages. By dying in their place, He takes their punishment upon Himself – He dies their death so that they can live His life. In fact, the Bible says that God sees us as if we died with Christ upon the cross of Calvary!25 Since the penalty of sin is death, and Christ has died that death, then sin is forgiven for all those who die with Christ! This is how God has decided to bring about forgiveness of sins – in the death of Jesus Christ. Hence, all sin will be punished – either on the cross of Calvary, or in eternal hell. Where one’s sins will be punished is dependent upon whether one is in Christ or not. God has decided to save a people for His own sake. In His grace He has joined these people from all eternity to Jesus Christ, so that His death is their death. Jesus did not die indiscriminately for everyone – He died only for those who believe in Him. Not only this, but the Bible says that on the third day after His death, Jesus rose from the dead – He was resurrected, never to die again. And, since those who are saved died with Christ, they also have the promise of being raised up with Him in eternal life. But who are these who are “in Christ” or who have died with Him? How can a person avail himself of this great plan of salvation? Doesn’t the Bible say that man does not even seek after God? Yes, it does say that. The answer is found in the very grace of God. God’s grace is something He gives because He wishes to give it, not because we earn it, merit it, or buy it. Man has no claim upon God’s grace. Grace, by definition, is given freely. Jesus taught, “No man is able to come to Me unless the Father, who sent Me, draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Man, being dead in sin, is given new life simply on the basis of God’s desire to do so. And to whom does God give this life? The Bible calls them “the elect,” which simply means that these people, no more deserving than any others, are chosen by God, completely on the basis of His own will and mercy, to be united with Christ, forgiven of their sins, and given eternal life. Once God has given to them spiritual life (which the Bible calls “regeneration” or being “born again”) He also gives to them the gifts of repentance and faith. Man responds to these actions of God by repenting and believing in Christ. But God’s choice of these people is based completely upon grace and mercy – nothing else. TRUSTING CHRIST What does it mean when the Bible speaks of a person “believing” in the Lord Jesus Christ? It is far more than simply an intellectual acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord and Savior – though that is a vital part of it. It also involves a commitment to Him as Lord in one’s life – a willingness to turn all of one’s life, including one’s dreams, goals, and ambitions, over to the Lord Jesus, to follow Him wherever He leads. This kind of commitment can only come from the work of God in man’s heart, as we have already seen. “But,” one might say, “if God is the one who saves, and it is only on the basis of His mercy that anyone can be saved, how can I personally be saved?” If the true desire of your heart is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and to commit yourself to Him as your Lord and then as your Savior, such a desire can only be placed in your heart by the Spirit of God. “What then, must I do?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” is the Bible’s answer. In faith toward the Lord Jesus, and a heartfelt desire to turn from anything which is against God’s will, commit yourself to the Lord Jesus, knowing that His death is sufficient to cleanse you from all your sin. Hold only to the Lord Jesus and nothing else – trust Him to save you and give to you eternal life. He has promised to do so. Pray a heartfelt prayer of repentance and commitment. God has promised, “Every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” |