TOPIC: GOD’S JUSTICE SYSTEM
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 32-33; John 18:24-40
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
It is God that established right from the beginning that death is what is legally demanded as the penalty for sin “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4 (KJV). Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of SIN is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It will be simple-minded to think of death only in terms of physical death. Physical death is only a manifestation of spiritual death which is spiritual separation from God. It is more like a branch that is cut from a stem. It might not look dead initially but after a while, it will become apparent. When it dries out isn’t when it actually ‘died’ because it died the day it was cut off the stem. Adam kept breathing for 930 years before he died physically though he died spiritually the day he ate of that tree and disobeyed God.
‘Physical death’ however is not the death that God spoke of as the penalty for sin. The penalty for sin is what the bible refers to as the ‘second death.’ Revelation 20:14-15 says “[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The second death is when that entity called death, hell and all those who aren’t saved are eternally cast into the lake of fire that burns with the eternal flames of judgment. This is more like when the branch that is cut off from the stem dries up and is gathered and burned in an incinerator. It means that it can never be found again. Eternal separation in the lake of fire that burns with the flames of judgement is the worst thing that can happen to a person (Revelation 21:8). The eternal nature of the second death is what makes it impossible for any person to ever pay for his/her sin.
God never designed or desire anyone to suffer death and it is the reason He also established atonement by blood as a means for forgiveness of sin committed. Hebrews 9:21 says, “… without SHEDDING OF BLOOD there is no REMISSION…” this means that forgiveness can only be by blood i.e., death!
Atonement by blood is the reason Genesis 3:21 (TPT) says, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them..” Whereas Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover or atone for their sin, God sacrificed an animal and used the skin dripping with blood to cover them and they enjoyed the forgiveness, grace and mercy of God.
Today’s text says that Jesus is the mediator between God and man because He offered Himself as a ransom for all – not some. Truth is, nobody has to pay for their sins because Jesus has paid once and for all for everyone (Hebrews 10:14). We only need to believe in what Jesus has done, and when we do, the power of death is broken over our lives. God’s Spirit is saying to believers today, “… He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death’ (Revelation 2:11). The overcomer is the believer (1 John 5:4). The justice of God has been met, and as such death can no longer hurt you. Be established in this truth and walk in freedom today.
Prayer: Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ Who has paid with His blood that which my good works and self-efforts could never have been able to pay.
Pastor Alfred Samuel