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The Way Back to God's Family

by Pr Douglas Jenkins

by Pr Douglas Jenkins

Title            What is the Bible?
Theme        The Way Back to God's Family

(This is part 4 in the Bible Study series.  Part 1 is found in edition 4, Part 2 in edition 5, and Part 3 in edition 6 of the online magazine.)

 
Introduction

Continuing from the last issue we now look at -- The Way Back To God's Family .We noted that Eve and Adam blatantly disobeyed God's warning not to eat the fruit, nor touch the tree, in the middle of the Garden Of Eden-- as death would result.  Their action revealed disloyalty, disaffection to God, and rebellion against God's authority.

Adam and Eve, our original ancestors, were created perfect: "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them." Genesis 1:27.  More than that, the couple had direct communication with God as in the Garden of   Eden--:" And they heard the voice of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day.... And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him:  Where art thou? Genesis 3:8,9.   

Perhaps it seemed to you that death, because of disobedience, was rather arbitrary of God. I thought it was dictatorial of God, until I read this: " Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of SIN unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16. That alters the situation. Obedience is linked with allegiance.

Did you notice that SIN is the basic problem?  We should find -- What is sin? "Whosoever committeth sin TRANSGRESSETH ALSO THE LAW; for sin is the transgression [disobedience]." of the law." 1 John 3: 4. Sin is actually disloyalty to God's authority, and government. So now you may realise the gravity of sin, knowing what sin is. This certainly made me realise the true situation was in fact -- allegiance to God or allegiance to Satan! This has further repercussions: "But your iniquities [sins] have separated  between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." Isaiah 59: 2.

You can surely see that the human race is now alienated from God in effect. This alerted me to look for solution to our doom. Thus we now search for the way back to God. Separation from God results in eventual death, God is the source of continuing life: "For as the Father [God] hath life IN HIMSELF, so hath He given to the Son [Jesus] to have life in Himself." John 5: 26.  You can sense the inseparable message of the Great Controversy (see previous article) from this subject.

Next, find the Way Back To God. It is our urgent need!  That's obvious, you say. Just retrace our steps -- obey God's law, be loyal to God.  Unfortunately, it's not as easy as that. Through changing allegiance from God to Satan, we have now replaced sinless nature with sinful nature. We are inherently averse to obedience. So we have a real problem to contend within ourselves.  Notice: "For that which I do, I allow not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." Romans 7:15. Do you see yourself in that problem?  I have seen myself in it, and I have often been discouraged with  my wilful nature. Then, what is the root of it?  "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man [In my mind I want to obey God].  "But I see another law in my members [within me ], warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members." Romans 7: 22,23.

Hopeless situation! No, there is hope.  "O wretched  man that I am.  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"  Note:  "I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord..." Romans 7: 24,25.

Through the power of Jesus working in my life, I can be released from my sinful tendency. (More of this in future article). The Way Back To God's Family is possible for you and me and everyone. It's Here: "He that OVERCOMETH shall inherit all things; and I will be his God , and he shall be my son (daughter)." Revelation 21:7.

The last theme:  Who is God?  In the latter part of the first article, there is an introduction to the true God. I will only add some few facts.  "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22. God is supreme over all, and is the origin of all there is.  Listen: "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee [humbly reverence] , O Lord, and glorify Thy name ? For Thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before Thee, for Thy judgments are made manifest." Revelation 15:3,4. Surely this is beyond any comment!

One more superlative: "And all the angels stood round about the throne, . . . and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying,  Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever, Amen." Revelation 7:11,12.

Yet, God is tender and loving: "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not, for I am with thee..." Isaiah 43:4,5.  More will be known about God through these series.

These three themes are what the Bible is all about. These are a general overview of God's message for us.  Other contents in the Bible give more detail, and clearer understanding.

Continue with the articles that follow, there are wonderful insights to come.  You will be thrilled with the prospects that will open before you as you progress with them.  I can tell you that my whole life has changed completely since finding God's purpose for people.  I will tell, soon, about my life story.  May God bless you. 

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