Tag Archives: Adam

The Distortion and Brokenness that is a Result of Sin

16 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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broken-hand-mirrorA mirror is designed to portray the reflection of an object or a person that is within view. Any form of glass that is not modified or distorted in any way will produce a complete reflection. This is of course if there is ample lighting which is refracted from the surface to create an exact image within the mirror. However, what if a mirror is shattered or if the image becomes foggy due to condensation in the atmosphere? It will mean that the original image of the object or person becomes distorted upon viewing. Basically, an external problem (i.e. mirror accidentally shattering) can cause a distortion of the view.

Spiritually speaking, the same concept can be applied to all of our lives as it relates to distortion and brokenness.  In Genesis Chapter 1, we can see the account of God creating various species of animal, and forming the elements of the Earth that we see today. Throughout a period of 6 days, God created the skies, the oceans, the stars, and all living creatures which would inhabit the Earth.  In addition to the various creations, humanity was a part of God’s plan. The first part of Genesis 1:26 says,

(ESV) “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” 

Verse 27 also says, (ESV) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

From the very beginning, humanity was created and formed to be in the image of the almighty God. It is also important to notice that the word “us” is used because it denotes the existence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  All were present from the beginning of time. So, this scripture affirms the fact that you and I were created in the image of God. We were fashioned to express and portray the image of holiness, righteousness, and the very essence of who God is. However, the original image became distorted because of sin.

The actual account of Adam & Eve deciding to sin took place in Genesis 3. Most who know this scriptural reference, know that Adam & Eve ate from the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil (Genesis 3: 1-7) after God had given them instructions not to.  In their disobedience, they not only suffered the consequences of being evicted from the Garden of Eden (verses 23-24), but the image of God in humanity became distorted. Notice what God says to Adam in verse 9:

(ESV) “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

In verse 8, Adam & Eve hid from God’s presence because they were ashamed and obviously guilty of their disobedience.  However, when God asked the question of Adam “Where are you?” it was in the context of God no longer recognizing His own image. It wasn’t that God did not know where Adam was in the physical sense, but because of the sin committed, the very image of God’s likeness was distorted and no longer recognizable.

The fact is that ever since Adam & Eve’s disobedience at the dawn of creation, humanity has suffered and portrayed the image of distortion. When you look at a mirror that has been shattered, the image of an object or a person is no longer recognizable. That is what took place when Adam & Eve rebelled. Even if we fast forward into today’s time, there are so many examples of distortion and broken images.

Satan was able to deceive Eve into believing the lie that she would not die if she ate of the fruit of the tree that God forbade. However, the lie was only partial because Adam & Eve indeed died, but it was a spiritual death and not physical.  Our enemy satan is the master of deception but also distortion. He distorts the truth by changing it into various alternatives, which leads to the art of deception.

For example, over the past two months, the issue of homosexuality and the “transgender” lifestyle has surfaced more so than ever. Not only is it legal in the United States and 20 other countries for homosexuals to marry, but such a lifestyle has now become embraced.  Even those who are publicly stating their “transformation” from the gender they were born as to identifying as another has become acceptable by many in society today. Bruce Jenner became the shining example of what distortion truly looks like.

Jenner became the champion for those who were and are “transgender” because he supposedly represents someone who spoke out with the objective to be embraced for his lifestyle. However, even in doing so, Jenner like others are showing what a life looks like when it is distorted. Many (even Christians) are afraid to speak out against such sins, but the damage that is caused to the individual and to our society becomes more evident as time goes forward.

Both homosexuality and identifying as a different gender are examples of distortion because it was never God’s original design.  When you look back at Genesis 1:27, it says that “male and female he created them.” That is because from the very beginning, God had a plan in place and it was designed as He created it to be. However, when sin was introduced into the world, the brokenness and distortion was a product of the original sin.

Satan desires to distort and destroy anything that God creates. Going back to the issue of homosexuality and being “transgender”, these are two cases of massive distortion.  The enemy knows that if he can get the majority to buy into such deception, then it will corrupt future generations. What occurs when you have two individuals of the same-sex who adopt and raise children? You end up with a broken view of the original family structure. Basically, the child or children involved, no longer have the balance of a mother and a father. There are certain traits that will be missing when there is a lack of balance. Satan knows this, which is why he promotes such a deviation from God’s original plan.

As a result, you have a degradation of the original family structure, which creates confusion and identity issues. Even as it relates to those who want to “change their gender“, there is a confusion that comes with it. Satan knows that when people choose to rebel against God and sin becomes acceptable, negative consequences are the result. When you look at Adam & Eve, they lost their original inheritance because of their rebellion.

Many today are losing their inheritance which is that of life everlasting and joy in abundance. The majority within our global society are now redefining various aspects of life which only God can define, which means that in humanity’s rebellion, God is not pleased.  As a result, God leaves every nation that rejects His ruling to the decadence and societal devolution which causes hardship and turmoil.

However, with all of that being the reality, there is great news.  Jesus Christ is the remedy and the only one who can mend the brokenness and distortion that sin causes. Although Adam & Eve’s sin caused the original distortion, Jesus Christ came so that you and I could live a life free from sin.  The hysteria that sin causes can be altered when you and I come to Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus as your Lord & Savior?

If not, then the original image of God cannot be made manifest as long as you are in rebellion against God.  Jesus Christ bled and died for you so that the image of God could be reclaimed in your life. God wishes that every human come to the knowledge and experience of His great love. However, the choice is up to you to choose Christ. Allow God to mend the brokenness and straighten the distortion that is within your life.  Only Jesus Christ can start the process to a road of recovery.  Take an opportunity and accept the gift of eternal life.

Your Debt Was Paid on Credit Through Jesus Christ

28 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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The credit card has become a common means to purchase goods.  In America and even around the world, the credit card is a useful tool to not only pay in expediency but to also purchase and pay later. It was designed so that the consumer could purchase an item while simultaneously allowing the debt that they owe to be paid for by the institution that they are borrowing from.  However, there is a catch as it relates to credit card usage.

The use of any credit card will involve the following stipulations:

1. Every lending institution offers an interest rate –  This means that upon purchase, the lender applies interest which is based on the fact that the borrower is using their service. You can think of interest as a surcharge that is instituted throughout each month of the billing cycle. An interest rate gives the lender a percentage of money in return.  If a person’s creditworthiness is exceptional then they will benefit from a lower interest rate which means the lender yields less of a return.  However a higher interest rate is based on a person’s lack of creditworthiness, meaning that the lender will earn more in interest.

2. The consumer must pay the lender back for the debt owed – Upon every purchase, the institution expects that the borrower pay them back in full for the service rendered.

While a credit card may be a useful tool in a moment of emergency or even convenience, it can be dangerous to ones financial health depending on how it is used. If you look at the credit card in its essence, it is nothing more than an opportunity for lenders to take advantage.  While you pay and owe a debt, they incur revenue from the interest rate and your debt that is paid.  However, there is one such individual who does not operate as a common lender does, and that is Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Apostle Paul states the following about Jesus Christ:

(NIV)“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 

Jesus Christ was not only given as a sacrifice in the place of you and I, but He essentially became the sin that emanates from our very existence.  All of us were born into sin because of the disobedience of Adam & Eve.  As a result, we carry the same lineage that was passed down through their actions.  The bad news is that because of our lineage, we have become products of Adam & Eve which also means that we inherit the consequences because of our sinful nature.  The consequences are that of a life that is destined for destruction because of our sinful state.  However, there is great news for you and the rest of humanity.

There is a term which is called “The 2nd Adam.” As the Bible records, Adam did not follow God’s original order which was not to eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.  However, because Eve ate from the tree and Adam followed her, sin entered into the world through Adam & Eve but primarily because of Adam’s disobedience.  So, as a result, sin became a by-product of Adam’s actions which set in motion the consequences of sin.  The term, “The 2nd Adam” comes into play when Jesus Christ is introduced as the savior of the world’s sin.

Essentially, Jesus is called the 2nd Adam because He is the alternative to the 1st Adam. To get a better picture, the Apostle Paul explains the difference between the first human which was Adam and Jesus Christ.  In Romans 5: 12-17 Paul says the following:

(NIV) “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned — To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

What Paul is saying in the above scripture is that death and condemnation are the result of the 1st Adam or the original human who sinned.  It is because of Adam’s disobedience that we are all born into sin.  This means, our destiny before Jesus Christ was to accept eternal damnation because of our sinful state.  However, once Jesus Christ came and was sacrificed on the cross for our sin, it was His death and resurrection that turned the tide of the original condemnation.  In the above scripture, it is apparent that Jesus is the one who gives life rather than death.

So, the principle of “The 2nd Adam” is that Jesus Christ broke the chain of sin and condemnation when He died on the cross.  It was because He became sin for us and he took my debt and yours, we no longer have to live in condemnation nor are we doomed to destruction.  Just as the lending institution takes the payment of what we wish to purchase, Jesus Christ has done the same thing.  The difference however between lending institutions and Jesus Christ is that we are not obligated to pay back the debt.

Creditors have the position of receiving your pay once the billing cycle begins so they can be paid back (with interest) in return for their services.  However, the great thing about Jesus is that He paid a debt that you and I owe.  Since we were all born into sin, the original judgment was and is that we would be condemned.  However, the alternative is that Jesus Christ became the substitute for the debt that we owe.  The Bible says in Romans 3:22 that through faith in Jesus Christ we are made righteous.

You have an opportunity to be made righteous because of Christ.  We are not saved by works or trying to be a “good person”.  We are saved by grace and every human has an opportunity to be saved.  As long as humanity remains in its sinful nature and disobedience, then of course we shall not experience an escape from destruction.  While Christ’s sacrifice took the debt that you and I owe, it is still up to us to make a decision to repent.  By repenting of our sin and turning away from it, then the power of sin is no longer effective in our lives.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, take the time to accept this gift of life.  It doesn’t cost you anything to accept this gift.  The only thing you must do is ask for forgiveness, turn from your sin and live a life that is pleasing to God.  The gift of life has already been paid for on credit through Christ.  In return, you will have a life that is full of abundance and eternal security.  Choose life by accepting this precious gift. For those of us who have already accepted it, we are the beneficiaries of this gift of life. It is open to all who will receive.  Choose Jesus Christ and find out what this gift of life can afford to you if you are willing to accept it.