1220. In Adam All Are Sinners–In Christ Jesus All Are Saints

In Adam All Are Sinners–In Christ Jesus All Are Saints

"Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom_5:12, l. c.).

This theme seems, on the face of it, the same as the preceding theme. But this is not the case. The former dealt with inbred, inherent sin; and with inbred, inherent righteousness: we now deal with the results of this inherent condition. The former theme discussed the root, we now discuss the fruit.

We are about to consider the interesting study of cause and effect. We are to find out that a "bitter tree" yields bitter fruit, and that a "good tree" yields good fruit.

1. "For that all have sinned." We have come to the result of Adam's transgression, as it is transmitted to Adam's posterity.

Just here there has been raised a hue and cry against the righteous judgment of God. Men denounce the Most High because He places the whole world under wrath as the penalty of Adam's sin. Men claim that they are not responsible for what they inherit; that they cannot help possessing a heart of sin.

This is true in part–men cannot help the fact that they are born sinners and that they possess a tendency for sinning.

What is thus seemingly unjust in God, will be seen upon calm reflection to be God's wisdom and love acting for our highest good, and that in harmony with perfect justice.

God had brought us into existence inheriting a sinful nature. He does not hold us responsible for what we cannot help. God, however, justifies the righteousness of His actions by taking the whole of our sin upon Himself in the person of His Son. All of sin's terrible curse and consequences were placed upon the Saviour, and God offers Him and His righteousness to the sinner as a free gift. When Christ is accepted, God not only justifies the sinner, but He places the sinner in a much higher and nearer relationship to Himself than he had before Adam's fall.

The sinner will not be condemned for his sin, primarily, but he will be justly condemned if he refuses the Saviour.

In this way, God justifies Himself and leaves the sinner without excuse.

"There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Jesus Christ places the blame of man's sinning not upon Adam, but upon the man himself. He says, "Men loved darkness rather than light." Even when the call to salvation and redemption is placed before the human heart, God says: "Ye will not come unto Me that ye might have life."

2. "That which is born of God sinneth not." The new man is, as we have already seen, created in righteousness and true holiness; we now discover that this new man, the man born of God, cannot sin, but that he brings forth fruit unto righteousness.

The works of the flesh are plainly set forth in the Word of God; so also is the fruit of the Spirit set forth.

We must remember that the new man, begotten in Christ Jesus, was begotten unto good works. This new man is the man that shall inherit eternal life. Heaven itself will not only be peopled with saints, but the realms of the glory land will be filled with the outflowings of the new man born on earth.

We who are children of God will never be born over again. We are already made partakers of the new nature; from us the rivers of blessing have already begun to flow. In the resurrection we will receive a new body; then the new man, begotten at our regeneration, will indwell that new body for evermore.

Thus in regeneration saints are not only constituted righteous, but saints become doers of righteous acts.

Even more blessed, if possible, is the consideration that it will always be thus. The new man not only possesses a holy nature, and its fruitage, a holy life, but that holy nature will always be holy.

The new man is impeccable–he cannot be tempted of evil–he cannot sin.

If the new man could sin, saints in Heaven would always be in danger of being cast into hell.

If the new man could sin the peace and security of Heaven would always be in the balance.

Thank God, saints are born of God, they are like Him–holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR