TWO – Man has separated himself from God.
God’s character is the standard by which man is to live.
Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
Anytime man deviates from God’s holiness, he violates God’s standard, and this is called sin. Obviously, then all of us have sinned.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Psalm 53:3-4 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
Since God is holy and Just, he will not establish a personal relationship with anyone until his sin is dealt with because he cannot allow sin in his presence.
Habakkuk 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:
Because sin is a violation of his standard and character, God must judge man’s sin and reject it. This is why sin causes spiritual death and results in separation from God.
Jeremiah 31:29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
As long as sin separates us from God, we can’t enjoy the life and relationship God wants us to have.
BUT can’t man solve the problem by living properly, by prayer, repentance and good deeds?
NO, man cannot remove the sin barrier by his own effort.
Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Ezekiel 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Human effort is not adequate because man cannot do enough to solve the problem.
Psalm 49:8-9 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
BUT, THEN HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM OF SPIRITUAL DEATH AND SEPERATION FROM GOD BE SOLVED?
God must take the initiative: He must provide the solution.
Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.
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