Faith, 9of11

~ 5 Individuals Represent 5 Great Doctrines ~

Adam (creation)  ~  “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). …

Abel (salvation)  ~  … “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). ….

Enoch (translation)  ~  … “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). …

… “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). …

Noah (condemnation)  ~  … “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7). …

Abraham (separation)  ~  … “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

Comment  ~  Adam while not mentioned in the verse had faith.  The blood of Abel, the first mention of blood, foreshadows the blood sacrifices to come.  Enoch was translated to heaven and speaks of one being separated to heaven—representing the heavenly people (who will be called home before judgment).  Noah represents earthly people (who passed through judgment).  In Abraham we again see the concept of separation.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear Not, 1

~ Abram Knew God’s Peace ~             

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3). 

“Fear not,” or its equivalent, is recorded many times in Scripture—ALN will post one “fear not” each week during this calendar year. 

This Week’s Verse  ~  “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward’” (Genesis 15:1). 

The Foundation Of Peace  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1). 

The Solution If You Lack Peace  ~  “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165).  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Summary  ~  “No Christ = No Peace” versus “Know Christ = Know Peace”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Two Adams

~ Compare Them ~

How is Jesus Christ like Adam?  

The following is an excerpt from a book.

Birth  ~  The first Adam was created from virgin earth; the Last Adam came to earth through a virgin birth. Both the first and the Last Adams were born without a corrupted sin nature. The first Adam was born without a mother; the Second Adam was born without a human father. The first Adam was a creature representing God on earth; the Last Adam was God on earth. The first Adam was created in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27). The Last Adam is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

Life  ~  The first Adam appeared on a scene prepared to receive him; the Last Adam entered a world ready to reject Him. The first Adam was to receive the unqualified submission of all creatures on earth—he was to be lord of all. The Last Adam is the Lord of all even though He was rejected!

       

The first Adam’s side was opened and a rib removed to make provision for his bride. The Last Adam’s side was pierced by a Roman soldier’s spear making provision (through our Lord’s death) for His bride—the Church.

Due to the first Adam’s sin, all mankind died. Due to the Last Adam’s sinless life, all mankind is eligible for the forgiveness of their sins and to be made truly alive. When an individual chooses to accept Jesus Christ as Savior, he receives new spiritual life which never ends. This includes resurrection from death and eternal fellowship with the God of the universe.

Death  ~  The first Adam introduced the Book of Death (1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:12) which mankind since the Fall enters through natural birth. The Last Adam provides the opportunity for us to choose to enter the Book of Life through spiritual birth (Revelation 20:15, 21:27). The two Adams represent two distinct families currently on earth and in heaven. The first Adam died spiritually in the Garden of Eden because of his sin. The Last Adam died physically in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sin (John 19:41).

End Result  ~  But the story doesn’t end in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Last Adam rose from the dead victorious over sin on that first Easter morning and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. One day, perhaps very soon, He will return for His Church.

~ from “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church, pgs 16-17  (ISBN: 9780741462329)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Christ in Genesis

~ Jesus Christ is the “Seed of the Woman” and More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Jesus Christ is found throughout the book of Genesis. Some theologians have remarked that the primary purpose of Genesis is to introduce us to Jesus Christ. Consider a few of the many examples.

Creator   ~  We know an amazing Savior—who is found in the very first verse of the Bible. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (1:1). The word translated into English as “God” is a plural word—indicating the triune God.

Confirmation of Jesus Christ as the creator occurs later in the Bible, such as: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

“In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” John 1:1-3).

Breath of Life  ~  “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (2:7).

Adam is a Picture of Christ  ~  “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).  “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Seed of the Woman  ~  “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (3:15). This has been called the proto-evangelism—the first mention in Scripture of a coming Savior.   

Abel’s Offering for Sin  ~  We learn many key things in this account (chapter 4) including that the offering must be of an innocent substitute and blood must be shed.

Interestingly enough, in the account of Cain and Abel we have representatives of all other religions and Christianity. Religions include the works of man whereas a relationship with Christ is all because of His grace. 

Notice also that Abel was the first shepherd in history and he died a violent death. 

Noah’s Ark  ~  Another picture of salvation. One of the many interesting aspects is that nothing was left up to Noah. God gave him clear instructions about all the details. Note also that the ark had one door—there was only one way in!  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). There was no fleet of arks—only one!

A major portion of Genesis (chapters 12-50) provides an account of four men: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Each foreshadows Christ and together they present a picture of the Good News of God’s salvation plan. Abraham pictures the sovereignty of God, Isaac God’s great grace, Jacob the justification which comes through faith, and Joseph our ultimate glorification because of God’s grace (c.f. Romans 8:29-30).

Isaac  ~ The account of Abraham offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice has many aspects of foreshadowing the death of Jesus Christ. Here are some examples: He was promised long before he was born. His name was given before he was born (17:19; Matthew 1:20-21). Abraham was confused when God told him about his future son (17:15-17, Matthew 1:19-20). Likewise Sarah was confused (18:10-14, Luke 1:30-31). Isaac’s birth involved a miracle.

Abraham is directed to sacrifice his only son (22:2, John 3:16). It involved a three-day journey during which time Isaac was as good as dead in Abraham’s mind—Christ was buried for three days. An important aspect here is that the entire process was between a father and his son. Isaac carried the wood (22:6, John 19:17-18). Notice that there was no conflict between father and son—Isaac was obedient and trusted his father to do what was right.

The account makes a sudden turn when a substitute lamb is offered in place of Isaac. Isaac was a sinner and an innocent lamb took his place and died on that altar. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is our substitute. 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Genesis. Much more could be said about each of the previous examples. We have not even touched upon Joseph who is one of the clearest types (foreshadows) of Jesus Christ in all of Scripture. 

additional comment:  While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including all five books of Moses. He quoted Genesis 2:24 in Matthew 19:5 and in Mark 10:7-8; He quoted Genesis 1:27 in Mark 10:6.

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

7 Consequences of Sin

~ Lessons from Genesis 3 & 4 ~

Man’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden upset his relationship with God, and today a Christian’s disobedience interferes with the joy of his fellowship with the Lord. Sin also disrupts peace in society by breaking human relationships. A common example in our society is sin in the life of a husband or wife, destroying the atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence that is so essential in making a truly happy home.

You and I were born with a propensity to sin because of the original sin of Adam and Eve. Sin always has devastating results in one form or another—sometimes the results are not evident immediately. Below are seven consequences of sin found in Genesis chapters three and four.

Shame (Genesis 3:7) ~ “And as Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, suddenly they became aware of their nakedness, and were embarrassed and ashamed of what they had done. So they strung fig leaves together to cover themselves around the hips.” Prior to sin there was no shame.

Fear (3:10) ~ “Adam answered God by saying, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” Suddenly, a great relationship had deteriorated and a barrier existed. Today our fellowship with God is broken by unconfessed sin (see 1 John 1:9).

Buck Passing (3:12) ~ “Then Adam said, ‘The woman You put here with me—she is the one who gave me some fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.’” Adam is not only blaming Eve but indirectly blaming God for giving him a partner! Sin has a very real way of distorting our thinking.

Pain and Sorrow (3:16) ~ “To Eve God replied: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.’” Sin has consequences! One day the results of Calvary will be complete and sin and its effects will be forever gone.

Pride (4:3) ~ “After the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD.” Cain’s pride is seen in offering his gift to God. One of the distinctions between the offerings of Cain and Abel is that Cain did not come by faith but rather in his own strength. Cain came to God on the basis of his own works—he came on the basis of his accomplishments. (Abel’s offering was a sacrifice which looked forward to the coming sacrifice of the Lamb of God.) Pride is one of the roots of all sin and pride is what keeps man from confessing sin.

Anger and Depression (4:5) ~ “But God had no respect for Cain’s offering. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and became sad and depressed.” Cain throws a pity party and becomes distraught. His shenanigans were not successful. Instead of learning at this point and making corrections, his sin continued to carry him into even greater sin.

Murder (4:8) ~ “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let's go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and murdered him there.” Unconfessed sin leads to greater sin.

Do you understand why bad things happen to good people? Do you know why our society has so much crime, unjust suffering, and pain? God’s Word has a one-word answer: sin!