Page 212 - Bible Writers Theology Original

196 ♦ Bible Writers' Theology Chapter Eight
•
•
•
• •
likeness with his creator, his completeness, was still future; a spiritual promotion to be played out, with God as the main actor (Romans 8:28- 29; Colossians 2:9; Genesis 2:17; John 3:5).
His state of innocence was very short lived as he was unable to keep the single conamandment of God that was to govern his life of fellow ship with his maker (Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:50,56).
Adam's disobedience put an end to that initial state of beatitude as sin
and death entered (Romans 5:12).
Ever since his fall, moral and spiritual struggle was to be mart's painful lot as he was evolving in the hostile realm of flesh, sin, law, and death. Limitations and weaknesses characterized him (Romans 3:10-18).
However by His wise and holy counsel, God was quick to make a promise of redemption for Adam and his offspring (Genesis 3:15). Then came the dispensation of the Law, "and offense abounded" (Romans 5:13, 20); Law was given to man as a "school master"
(Galatians 3:24); it was holy and spiritual (Romans 7:12,14). The natu ral man realizes that the strength of sin is the Law (I Corinthians 15:56- 57).
• Man asks why should this be his pitiful condition (Psalm 51:3-5; Romans 7:24; Romans 8:19-22)? Paul is willing to present himself as a case study to discuss genuinely this sad condition in Romans chapter 7. The answer to this question of the long journey from the first
Adam, who is earthly, to the last Adam, who is heavenly (I Corinthians 15.45-48), is foreordained by Cod "who worketh all things according tothecounselofhisownwill"(Ephesians1:11). Thecaseisnotlost. Paul assures us, "As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (I Corinthians 15:49), provided we meet the conditions God has put in order (II Corinthians 5:1-5). In
fact, the scriptures explain the place of sin and the provision of salva tion by the creator. Man is created with a free will and is responsible for his actions. He must choose between sin and righteousness, and
should come to appreciate the spiritual rather than the carnal. Sin is permitted only to show God's righteousness (Genesis 2:17; Exodus 34:7; Ecclesiastes 11:9; Ezekiel 18:20; II Thessalonians 1:7; Psalm 78:29;
106:15; Acts 14:16; 17:30).
• God determined to overrule sin for the good of mankind (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20; Psalm 33:10; 76:10; Daniel 3:19-20; Philippians 1:19), although He did not permit sin just to bring about good (Romans 3:8). Romans 6:1 says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" (See also Ephesians 1:4-11; Romans 8: 29-30.)