Topics 1 through 5
( page 4 of 7 )
Continuing with our comparison of the three gospels, we will look at the first topic:
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1) How they view Sin: |
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Gospel #1 I Jn 3 (v. 4) ....for Sin is the transgression of the Law.
Rom 6 (v. 23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.... |
Gospel #2 John 16 (v. 7) ....the Helper will.... come to you....I will send Him to you. (v. 8) And ....He will convict the world of Sin.... (v. 9) of Sin, because they do not believe in Me. |
Gospel #3 I Jn 3 (v. 9) Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in Him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. Born again believers cannot sin since they are in Christ. |
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We are a sinner, because we made a decision to sin, not because we are born with a sinful nature. John 8 (v. 34) Jesus answered them, Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. |
We are sinners by nature because; we inherit the "Sin" problem from Adam, as soon as we are born. Psm 58 (v. 3) The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born.... Isa 53 (v. 6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way. |
We don’t have to worry about sin anymore, since Jesus died on the cross for our sins. I Cor 15 (v. 1) Moreover brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you.... (v. 2) by which also you are saved.... (v. 3) that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.... |
The angels of glory find their joy in giving,–giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know.[1]
As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature....As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God....His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God.[2]
So every soul is tested as to whether the desire for temporal good or for fellowship with Christ is strongest....To Matthew in his wealth, and to Andrew and Peter in their poverty, the same test was brought....At the moment of success, when the nets were filled with fish, and the impulses of the old life were strongest, Jesus asked the disciples at the sea to leave all for the work of the gospel.[3]
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More discussion on sinning: |
2) ....is it by birth or by choice.... |
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Gospel #1 Chapter 2 of James, states that by killing, we "become a transgressor of the Law" not by being born. Jam 2 (v. 11) ....Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law. Jam 1 (v. 22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Gal 3 (v. 10) ....for it is written, cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. |
Gospel #2 We are born into the "Sin" problem: Psm 51 (v. 5) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Was she committing adultery, since sin is only a decided action or just a choice? Job 15 (v. 14) What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous? |
Gospel #3 Once you choose Christ, then you are born into the “new” nature that does not sin anymore. II Cor 5 (v. 17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. |
As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey....“God with us” is the surety of our deliverance from sin, the assurance of our power to obey the law of heaven.[4]
Our next topic has to do with identifying the wicked people, the good people, and the overcomers:
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3) Who are the wicked people? |
4) And who are the good people? |
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Gospel #1 The wicked people are those who continue to choose to sin, even after they know it is wrong! The good people are obedient to Christ and have stopped sinning. |
Gospel #2 The wicked people are everyone born on this earth, including you and me! So that doesn’t leave room for any good people on this earth. |
Gospel #3 The wicked people are those who do not accept Christ as their savior. The good people are the ones who accept Christ as their savior and are sealed. |
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Ezek 18 (v. 26) If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. (v. 27) But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life.
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Rom 4 (v. 5) But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. When did He justify the ungodly? Rom 5 (v. 6) ....in due time Christ died for the ungodly.... (v. 8) in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.... (v. 10) when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.... |
John 3 (v. 18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3 (v. 36) He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. |
Jesus says: Why does thou call me good?
Luke 18 (v. 18) Now a certain ruler asked Him saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
(v. 19) So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God....
Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour’s life on earth, we see “God with us.”[5]
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5) Who are the overcomers? |
And....overcome what?.... |
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Gospel #1 Rev 2 (v. 7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Rom 8 (v. 13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. A: we are overcomers, if indeed we have stopped sinning. |
Gospel #2 I Jn 5 (v. 4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. (v. 5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? A: we overcome the world by our faith; not our lack of sinning. |
Gospel #3 John 16 (v. 33) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. A: we can have peace and not have to worry about overcoming anything, because Christ has overcome the world for us. |
Our flesh, our nature, is no different than it was before our conversion. That nature will not change until the second coming of Christ.[6]
Phil 3 (v. 20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (v. 21) who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
References:
1. The Desire of Ages, “God With Us” p.21, par.1
2. The Desire of Ages, “God With Us” p.24, par.2
3. The Desire of Ages, “Levi-Matthew” p.273, par.4
4. The Desire of Ages, “God With Us” p.24-25
5. The Desire of Ages, “God With Us” p.24, par.1
6. Vineyard Ministries. “Justification by Faith” Tape 2. The Gospel in a Nutshell, Audiocassette.
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