Redemption Through The Scriptures: Gaining a clearer picture of Christ and His saving work

The Necessity of Redemption

Paul J. Bucknell

This brings us back to a more basic question that identifies man’s chief problem. Why is man so bad? Was man always so disobedient towards God?

The Necessity of Redemption

A purchase was necessary because man became the slave of another owner. Two actions were necessary: (1) regain authority over man and (2) cleanse his sin so that God’s wrath did not break out upon him. God created man with an obligation to serve Him, but man rebelled from God’s authority and legally fell under another’s possession. Note the scene in the Garden of Eden:

“Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).

Man overthrows God's authority

God was in authority over man. God made man (Genesis 1:26-27) and exercised power over both man and woman as their Creator and King. In this authority He commanded the man (and woman as man’s helpmate) “to cultivate it (the garden) and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). This charge was given in 2:15 but another command was given in the following two verses.
The word ‘command’ (Genesis 2:16) rings with authority.

Clearly, God was not being optional about what He wanted with regards to certain matters. God didn’t say much, but what He said carried great weight. Adam and Eve, the first of mankind, could take from the garden’s wide number of trees. He didn’t tell them which to eat first, second, and so on. He did, however, initiate another command that forbade them from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The results of rebellion

The Lord told them what would happen if they ate of the forbidden tree (Genesis 2:16-17); clearly there was no barrier between God and man at this point. Man was living in the awesome place of God’s presence and was carrying out God’s will.

This authoritarian concept is not easily rooted in man’s largely democratic world. God is not just a wisher of a good life but the supreme ruler whom we need to obey. He is not a cheerleader (though He wants us to win) but our governor to whom we should strictly obey and follow.

Part of this book, Redemption Through the Scriptures, is on the web (see below), but the completed book with all the other teaching materials including: the full study guide and available videos, audios, and powerpoints are included in the Discipleship 3rd level library along with other third level BFF publications. These resources enable you to not only grow in Christ, be like Christ but also to have Christ's plan lived out through your life! Or check out the book!

Reflection

Review the arguments that support the plurality of religions. Christians are considered intolerant because they do not embrace the possibility of the truth in other religions. God, however, has called man to come out from his self-made religions in order to worship Him alone. God made human beings; they ought to worship Him.

Man does not have a final choice in this sense because God will one day upset their worldview and reveal Himself and expose their errors. Societies can tolerate other religions but due to their rebellion, God will uproot each one.

Next => The Consequence of disobedience

Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted: (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988

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Redemption Through The Scriptures: Gaining a clearer picture of Christ and His saving work

The Necessity of Redemption

Paul J. Bucknell