The Gift of God

These two steps are final for man. This is humanities condition and destiny and there is nothing than man can do to change it. Man cannot tty harder, or be better, or change his life because man is spiritually depraved and is unable to do anything about it.

Steps 1 and 2 are without a doubt the worst news that anyone can come to an understanding off. They paint the blackest picture of hopelessness.

You are a sinner. Sinners go to Hell. there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

This is the bad news. But in answer to this terrible news - God announced good news, the best news - the Gospel.

The Third Step in the Roman Road

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:15 KJV 1900

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

God has already given us something out of Heaven - Bad News. This bad news came in the form of the Law.

The Law could not help you, but it condemned you. The Law showed you your in, but then left you in that sinful state.

God then gave us a second Gift, the greatest gift. A gift that could do what the Law could never do.

Romans 8:3–4 KJV 1900

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

You have to understand that Salvation is not of man. It was not man changing his life or saving himself, salvation is all from God.

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

If God did not love us, did not have compassion on us, did not send His only begotten son to save us - we would not have a step 3 in the Roman Road.

Galatians 4:3–5 KJV 1900

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Our hope as it were ends at verse 3 - under Bondage, slave.

The setting free is all of God “But God...” - We were held as slaves , But God sent a saviour on a rescue mission to save us.

The Rescue Mission

Jesus did not rescue us from the Devil, he rescued us from our Sin. Our sin put us under Satanic Dominion and so rescuing us from our sin, sets us free from satanic bondage as well.

Romans 6:18 KJV 1900

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Colossians 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

What was the rescue plan?

The plan was to send a substitute. Someone who was like us, but also nothing like us. The Plan was to send someone who had perfectly kept the Law, who was sinless, who was perfect - who therefore was fully qualified and able to pay the penalty fro our sinfulness.

This Perfect Person was Jesus Christ, who john Called the sacrificial Lamb - A perfect sacrifice who would die in place of wicked sinners.

John 1:29 KJV 1900

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This is why the bible speaking of Jesus work says:

Colossians 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

What ordinances were against us? The Law, What did Jesus do to the Law? he took it out the way. How did Jesus do that? By fulfilling all the requirements of the Law in Himself.

Matthew 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

When Jesus died on Calvary’s Hill He did not die as a martyr or a victim. He died as a substitute and as a victor.

He changed places with us. He took all our sin, unholiness and unrighteousness upon Himself.

And then, to all who would believe on Him, he Puts all of His sinlessness, holiness and righteousness upon them that put their trust in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV 1900

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This exchange is why we are forgiven. It is why we are set free.

The Price of our Freedom

God’s forgiveness is not God overlooking your sin.

This is very important - Jesus did not “bust us out” of sin prison - like a jail break.

He settled our account legally and properly.

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 1900

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

The distinction i important - people who thing Jesus “busted them out” live as wanted men. They are on the run from sin and satan and are afraid of them. This is not how God wants youj to live.

An escaped criminal may be out of prison, but he is most certanly not “free”.

But a person who has been released and pronounced innocent is free.

An escaped criminal still fears the police and the Law.

An acquitted person fears neither the police nor the Law because they are actually free.

Jesus set you free church.

John 8:36 KJV 1900

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

People who avoid church, or who don’t pray daily, or who don’t spend time everyday in God word, or who show forth very little fruit of repentance are acting like people who got busted out.

You are voiding things which elevate and grow you because these things condem you. A harsh sermon sounds far less appealing than a day the beach.

A bible study is not as good as a soap opera drama.

I want to tell you today, you have not been set free.

Trust in Jesus.

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