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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

The GOSPEL starts with God; describes Man’s creation, rebellion, and condemnation; explains Christ’s gracious provision for reconciliation; and calls for man’s Response.

(1) GOD created everything “good,” without defect. Created in God’s image, Adam was declared to be “very good.” He had one requirement before God: perfect obedience—which entailed taking God at His word. Adam was to BELIEVE God (Genesis 15:6).

(2) MAN chose, however, to believe God’s enemy! Death was the result. Adam and his progeny ceased to be God’s children, becoming His enemies in the process. Jesus described man perfectly: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” (John 8:44a). God continues to be sovereign over ALL creation, but Adam’s sin led to the transfer of regency over this world from Adam to Satan—the “prince of this world” (John 16:11). Since then, those born “in Adam ALL die”—physically and eternally (1 Corinthians 15:22). Irreconcilably separated from God, man needs what he cannot attain for himself: salvation from God’s wrath!

(3) CHRIST was the answer to how God could JUSTLY forgive sinners. To escape God’s wrath, man needs two things: (a) a Substitute; and (b) a Mediator. God’s righteous requirements for Adam were never abrogated. They apply to us as much as they did to him. For this reason, we too stand CODEMNED! God describes Himself as “forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,” while in the same verse, declaring that He “will by no means clear the guilty” (Exodus 34:7). ALL sin MUST be punished or God is a liar! God is not capable of merely forgiving sin. Since the punishment for sin is death and hell, GOD had to make provision for us. Jesus was that provision. He lived the perfect life Adam failed to live and bore God’s wrath so that sinners might be justly forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21). As our substitute, Christ has satisfied God’s wrath. His righteousness has been imputed to believers, serving as the basis upon which He mediates our reconciliation with the Father.

(4) RESPONSE: People have two options: (a) to die in their sins and personally endure God’s never-ending wrath; or, (b) to place their faith (trust and dependence) in the finished work of Christ. What is YOUR response?

Grace and Peace, y’all

Soli Deo Gloria