If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
We start out as God’s enemies because we do what we want and are in independence of His kingship and His Fatherhood. The outcome of this life is stark, but the way to a right relationship with God has been cleared by Jesus who gave up His life, for us. If we accept His offer of salvation we move from death to life.
Bible Zone
- What is sin? - sin as doing what we want not what God desires.
- Purpose of law - The law helps us see ourselves from God’s perspective.
- Jesus Rescues - Jesus’ death brings freedom from condemnation.
- God makes right - God’s solution is through faith in Jesus.
- Friends of God - We have peace with God and are no longer His enemies.
In a world of relative values, sin is something that people attribute to others but never themselves. This is how the Bible describes it. Romans 3:10-18
- Identify each example of what sin is?
- Have you ever done any of these?
Romans 3:10 As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous— not even one.
11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one."*
13 "Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies." "Snake venom drips from their lips."*
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."*
15 "They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don't know where to find peace."* 18 "They have no fear of God at all."*
Many think a half hearted attempt to follow God’s laws will please God. The Bible paints a different picture of God’s purpose in giving law. Romans 3:19-20
- How widespread is the condemnation of those who fail to fulfil the law?
- What is the purpose of the law?
- Why would God want us to be aware of how sinful we are?
Romans 3:19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are
Where the law is unattainable, God has another way. Romans 8:3-4
- What is the state of those without Jesus?
- What was the law supposed to do? Why did it fail?
- Why did Jesus do for us?
- What was Jesus and God’s purpose?
Romans 8:3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.* So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice God has provided a path to Himself. How then do we take this path? Romans 3:21-22
- What is God’s solution?
- Why is it necessary to accept God’s solution rather than trying to be good?
- What has Jesus done to make it all possible?
Romans 3:21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses* and the prophets long ago.22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Jesus has worked to save us from being God’s enemies. Romans 5:1-11
- What state have we been saved from?
- What was need for us to be saved?
- How do we receive salvation?
- What state are we in having been saved?
Romans 5:1-11 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
... 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
SAVED SINNER
