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God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: ENMITY: KEY PART OF PLAN OF REDEMPTION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

July 16, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

ENMITY: KEY PART OF PLAN OF REDEMPTION

Read Genesjs 3:15 for yourself (KJV or RSV). Enmity is translated from the Hebrew ‘eybah,’ meaning, “hostility; hatred.’ From ‘ayab,’ “be an adversary; enemy; foe.” (Strong’s Hebrew/Aramaic Lexicon). 

It is true and universally accepted that it is because of God’s mysterious, divine LOVE that Christ, “the only-begotten Son of God” and Creator, volunteered to be offered as the Father’s sacrificial Lamb, crucified on Calvary’s cross as fallen man’s substitute and surety—the central part of the plan of redemption, but certainly not its end. 

It is also equally true that divine HATRED against sin, transgression, “the mystery of iniquity,” and Satan, the author of all sin, “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning,” is as important as this love, where the plan of redemption is concerned. 

It was out of divine love, omniscience, and omnipotence that God Creator made the earth first, for man, the final and crowning act of His creative power, man being the first, last, and only creature “made in the image and likeness” of God Creator. There was no inherent, intrinsic, original propensities of any kind of “enmity,” hatred, animosity in the man, Adam. The sacred record simply says after man, formed from the dust of the ground, was made a living soul, “and God saw that everything that He had made, and behold, it was VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the SIXTH DAY [last day of creation]” (Gen. 1:31)

That God’s character and nature from eternity past to eternity future LOVES righteousness and HATES SIN (iniquity; transgression of the law), is clearly stated thus: Heb. 1:1-13 introduces Christ as the Son of God and Creator. In verse 8 God the Father addresses Christ, His only-begotten Son, as God! “But unto the SON, He saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” 

Then we read: “Thou hast LOVED righteousness, and HATED iniquity; THEREFORE God, even Thy God [the Father] hath anointed Thee with an oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” And, Thou, LORD, in the beginning hast laid down the foundations of the earth: and the heavens are the works of Thine hand.” (Heb. 1: 8-10, KJV.)

Gen. 3:15 is the first and foundation of all promises and prophecies thereafter in the Bible pertaining to God’s plan of redemption. 

So that when man fell by transgression in Eden, the plan of redemption “prepared before the foundations of the earth were laid,” immediately kicked in. It began with a sentence of enmity!  

Notice:

    “To man [Adam] the first intimation of redemption was communicated in the sentence pronounced upon Satan in the garden. The Lord declared, [Gen. 3: 15 quoted]. This sentence, uttered in the hearing of our first parents was to them a PROMISE. While it foretold WAR between man and Satan [not man against his fellowmen!], it declared that the POWER of the great adversary would FINALLY [not immediately] be BROKEN.

     “Adam and Eve stood as CRIMINALS before the righteous Judge, awaiting the sentence [of death!] which transgression [through disobedience] had incurred [as its ‘wages’]; but before they heard of the LIFE OF TOIL AND SORROW which must be their portion, or the decree that they must RETURN TO THE DUST [not to heaven], they listened to words that COULD NOT FAIL TO GIVE THEM HOPE. Though they must suffer the power of their mighty foe, they could LOOK FORWARD TO FINAL VICTORY.” (End quote from Patriarchs & Prophets, pp. 65, 66).

Without this new principle of enmity placed between fallen man and Satan immediately after the fall, the plan of redemption could not proceed to unfold thereafter, according to God’s wisdom and plan! 

Be sure to study carefully, harness and cherish this ENMITY without which victory over sin and Satan can never be achieved! It is never to be employed against our fellow fallen, finite, fellow mortals but against sin and Satan exclusively! 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: THE FIRST INTIMATION OF THE GRAND PLAN OF REDEMPTION 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

July 9, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE FIRST INTIMATION OF THE GRAND PLAN OF REDEMPTION 

Sacrifice and intercession make up the two major working parts of the divine plan of redemption. The purpose of both is atonement, that is, the “at-one-ment” or reconciliation between God and man eternally separated by “transgression” or sin, whose “wages is death.” 

God’s law, the foundation of His everlasting kingdom of love and righteousness, and transcript of His character, which was transgressed and broken, would not only be restored but “magnified and made honorable” on earth, in heaven, and throughout the unfallen worlds of God’s universe! 

Let’s resume quoting from the inspired pen of God’s last-day messenger, “the lesser light that leads to and magnifies the greater light,” the Bible. (All emphases and bracketed words provided): 

    “Christ assured the angels that by His death, He would ransom MANY [only the sinners who would fully avail of His atoning sacrifice at Calvary, and  intercessory atonement thereafter as High Priest and Intercessor to the Father at the heavenly sanctuary], and would DESTROY him who had the power of death [but not of life; Satan, Heb. 2:14]. He would RECOVER THE KINGDOM [part of the comprehensive plan of redemption] which man [through Adam] had LOST by transgression, and the REDEEMED [only the ‘many’ who truly love Christ the Redeemer by ‘keeping His commandments.’ John 14:15) were to inherit it [the redeemed original kingdom] WITH Him, and dwell therein FOREVER.” Sin  and sinners would be BLOTTED OUT [not ‘burn in hell eternally’!], never more to disturb the peace of HEAVEN OR EARTH. 

    “He bade the angelic host [described as “the clouds of heaven”] to be IN ACCORD with plan [of redemption] that His Father accepted [Christ Himself originated, devised, and presented it to the Father!], and rejoice that, THROUGH HIS DEATH, fallen man COULD BE reconciled to God. 

     “Then [and only then, again after the first creation week] JOY, INEXPRESSIBLE JOY filled Heaven! The glory and the blessedness of A WORLD REDEEMED, OUTMEASURED EVEN THE ANGUISH AND SACRIFICE of the Prince of Life! 

     “Through the celestial courts [the ‘holy places’ of heaven] echoed the FIRST STRAINS of that song which was to ring out ABOVE THE HILLS OF BETHLEHEM [some four thousand years later],—‘Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL [of God’s gospel plan] TOWARDS [undeserving, fallen, sinful] MAN.’ (Luke 2:14). With a DEEPER GLADNESS now than in the rapture of the new creation [of earth], ‘the morning stars’ [the angelic hosts] sang together, and all the sons of God [same] shouted for joy.’ (Job 38:7).”- Ellen G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 65. 

Notice that the angels “sang and shouted for joy” with their voices; there were no “harps” or other musical instruments played for accompaniment (that is, as fallen mankind knows them) mentioned at that time, nor at Bethlehem. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: ANGELS OFFERED THEMSELVES TO BECOME THE SACRIFICE FOR MAN’S REDEMPTION 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

July 1, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

ANGELS OFFERED THEMSELVES TO BECOME THE SACRIFICE FOR MAN’S REDEMPTION 

    “The plan by which alone man’s salvation could be secured involved all heaven in its infinite sacrifice.” And heaven is the home of angels. As Christ the Creator (not yet incarnated into human flesh and blood nature) unfolded redemption’s purpose and plan to the angels, He explained that: 

    “When His mission on earth as a Teacher [and Prophet, comprehended in His work as the Messiah] would be ended, He must be delivered into the hands of wicked men [the Jewish nation and Rome in confederacy] and be subjected to every insult and torture that Satan could inspire them to inflict. He must die the CRUELEST of deaths—lifted up between the heavens and the earth as a GUILTY SINNER [‘who knew no sin’ and was ‘without sin’. ]. He must pass long hours of agony so terrible that ANGELS COULD NOT LOOK UPON IT, but would VEIL THEIR FACES from the sight. He must endure anguish of soul, the hiding of His Father’s face—while the GUILT of transgression—the WEIGHT of the sins of the whole world—should be upon Him.

     “The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander, and OFFERED TO BECOME A SACRIFICE FOR MAN. But an angel’s life could not pay the DEBT; only He who CREATED MAN HAD THE POWER TO REDEEM HIM. Yet the angels were to have A PART to act in the plan of redemption.

     “[As with Adam] Christ was [also] made to be made ‘a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death’. (Heb. 2:9). As He should take HUMAN NATURE upon Him, His strength would NOT be equal to theirs [angels], and they were to MINISTER TO HIM, to strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings. They were also to be ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who should be heirs of salvation. (Heb. 1:14). They would guard the subject of grace from the power of EVIL ANGELS, and from the DARKNESS constantly thrown around them by Satan. 

     “When the angels should witness the agony and humiliation of their Lord, they would be filled with GRIEF AND INDIGNATION, and would wish to DELIVER HIM from His murderers; but they were NOT TO INTERPOSE in order to prevent anything which they should behold. It was A PART OF THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION that Christ should suffer the scorn and abuse of wicked men;  and He CONSENTED to all of this when He became The REDEEMER of man.” – E. G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, 1913 ed., pp. 64, 65. (All emphasis and bracketed words provided). 

The angels are more interested and involved in God’s master plan to redeem us fallen man that we are of ourselves! They have been faithfully doing their part, how about us? 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION INVOLVES ALL HEAVEN IN ITS INFINITE SACRIFICE FOR MAN’S SALVATION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION INVOLVES ALL HEAVEN IN ITS INFINITE SACRIFICE FOR MAN’S SALVATION

Heaven here means the three Persons of the Godhead and the innumerable angels, created before earth and man were, as His “ministering spirits,” not flesh and blood, sexless. Man alone was made in the image and likeness of God. 

But by that mysterious first experiment with disobedience to God by Adam and Eve in their Eden home, “sin entered into the world, and death,” “the wages of sin,” “passed into all men.” Since then “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Thus all were condemned to die eternal death. But God’s  love, mercy, wisdom, power, and righteousness had devised a plan “before the foundations of the earth were laid,” which alone could save fallen man without doing away with His immutable law; in fact, even “magnifying it and making it honorable the universe.

    “The plan by which ALONE man’s salvation could be secured, INVOLVED ALL HEAVEN in its INFINITE SACRIFICE. The angels [whose home is heaven while earth was created for man, and from which he was made and originated from]  not rejoice as Christ opened before them the PLAN OF REDEMPTION; for they saw that [fallen, sinful] man’s salvation must COST their loved Commander UNUTTERABLE WOE. In grief and wonder they listened to His words as He told them HOW HE MUST DESCEND  FROM HEAVEN.” 

Infinitely more than mainstream Christianity’s narrow focus and fixation on Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary and thus, myopic and stinted understandjng of what His sacrifice comprehends, which stretches from eternity past “as a Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth”, to eternity future, where “the plan of redemption will the science and song of the eternally-redeemer.” 

Here’s  a more detailed  “cost analysis”—to which no measurements and values can ever be attached—of the Creator’s condescending descent of His infinite sacrifice and from what: 

   1. “He must descend from heaven’s a) purity and peace b) its joy c) its glory d) its immortal life and 

    2. “Come in contact with: a) the degradations of [sin-cursed] earth 

    3. “To endure a) its sorrow b) its shame c) its death

    4. “He was to stand between the sinner and the penalty of sin; yet FEW would receive Him as the Son of God [starting with His chosen people, the Jewish nation]. 

    5. “He would leave His high position as the Majesty of Heaven, appear upon [fallen, sin-cursed] earth and humble Himself AS A MAN, and by His own experience ‘become acquainted with the SORROWS AND TEMPTATIONS which [fallen] man would have to ENDURE. 

     “All this would be necessary in order that He might be able to SUCCOR them that should be tempted (Heb. 2:18).” – Quoted parts from E. G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp.64-5. (All others, including emphases, provided).

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION BEGINS THE REVEAL OF THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

June 18, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION BEGINS THE REVEAL OF THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION

Knowing first the fundamental truths of creation and The Creator and the reason and nature of the fall of man are foundational pillars upon which the great controversy and the plan of redemption/salvation of the genuine gospel can only be truly understood and treasured by fallen mankind. 

But stretching further beyond into “eternity past”—precisely how long ago before the creation-origin (never evolution) of planet Earth and of man, the only creature in the universe originally made, in fact, personally hand-crafted “in the image and likeness of God,” is not revealed. 

And yet, to so totally-undeserving, fallen, sinful, finite mortals such as I, subjects of the saving grace emanating from and manifested in Christ the Word’s  image-character of divine love, enduring mercy, spotless purify and holiness, perfect righteousness and justice as defined in His immutable law and foundation of His everlasting kingdom, is the veil pulled slightly aside by the great I AM. 

It reveals even much more to earnest seekers “of the truth as it is in Jesus” alone, the unparalleled self-sacrificing, self-denying love and humility packed together with His omniscience and omnipotence. 

And what is it? As magnified by “the lesser light that points and leads to the greater light” of the Bible, I quote (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied): 

    “The plan of salvation had been laid BEFORE the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Rev. 13:8): yet it was a STRUGGLE, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to DIE FOR THE GUILTY RACE, that ‘whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). 

     “Oh, the MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION! The LOVE of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the DEPTHS of that love which ‘passeth knowledge’ [see Eph. 3: 17-19]. We Through endless ages, immortal minds [of the eternally-redeemed] seeking to comprehend the MYSTERY of that incomprehensible love, will [simply] WONDER AND ADORE.

    “God was to be MANIFEST in Christ [cf. 1 Tim. 3:16; John 1: 1-3, 14, etc.], ‘reconciling the world to Himself’ (2 Cor. 5:19). Man had become so DEGRADED BY SIN [‘the transgression of the law’] that it was IMPOSSIBLE for him, IN HIMSELF, to come into HARMONY with Him whose NATURE is purity and goodness. 

     “But Christ, AFTER having REDEEMED man FROM the condemnation of the law., would IMPART [divine] lPOWER, TO UNITE WITH HUMAN EFFORT. Thus by ‘REPENTANCE towards God and faith in Christ,’ the fallen children of Adam MIGHT ONCE MORE become ‘sons of God.’ (1 John 3:2, KJV).” Quoted from Ellen G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, Pacific Press Publishing Asso, 1913 ed., pp. 63-4. 

To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION/SALVATION 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

June 12, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION/SALVATION 

     “Even He shall build the temple of the Lord: and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne; and the COUNSEL OF PEACE shall be between THEM both” Zechariah 6:13, KJV. 

    “The counsel of peace.” At first blush, this seemingly “undramatic” phrase written by one of the so-called Minor Prophets of the OT is, when better comprehended, is staggeringly profound in its import—way before our planet earth and man, “made in the image and likeness of God,” were created. And thus, before the fall of man! 

It reveals the great imponderables—the incontrovertible “mysteries”

of God’s love, mercy, patience, long suffering, and kindness, as well as His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, from eternity past to eternity future. 

Such is the true nature of Bible prophecies (and all the other truths of God’s Word). They hold in preserve and reveal “the deep things of God” at their precise appointed time, roles, and ways in perfect accord with God’s master plan. He is in full and perfect control. 

However, as revealed only by the Spirit of God to the “holy men of God” from the beginning, “spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned.” The “carnal mind” is not only passively incapable of comprehending and seeing “the beauty of holiness” in them but is actively “at enmity” with God’s law and pure Bible truth “for darkness hateth the light.” This helps explain why Jesus, “the brightness of the Father’s glory and the EXPRESS image of His person” (Heb. 1: 1-3, A.V.), was hated, not loved and welcomed by a sin-darkened, sin-loving world. 

Briefly, “in simplicity, accuracy, and purity,” in humility yet bold confidence in the truth, we declare that the purpose of the plan of salvation/redemption is the only divine antidote, answer, and solution to the great controversy started and waged by Satan and his demonic and human agencies against God, His law and authority and mankind, that guarantees complete and perfect victory of repentant sinners over all temptation, “the love of the world and the things of the world, the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh”, “over the world, the flesh, and the devil,” and the eternal triumph of truth and the full restoration of all that was deranged and lost to and through sin and Satan! 

As introduction, I will here

quote portions of The Plan of Redemption, chapter 4 of the volume, Patriarchs & Prophets by E. G. White, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. Mt. View, CA, 1913, p. 63. 

 I  urge all to get your own book wherever most convenient, study the five complete volumes of the Conflict of the Ages series by the same author, this volume being one of these. Note:

     “The fall of man filled ALL HEAVEN with sorrow. The world that God had made was blighted with the CURSE of sin, and inhabited by beings DOOMED to misery and death. There appeared NO ESCAPE for those who had transgressed the law [both first created human beings!]. 

     “ANGELS ceased their songs of praise Throughout the heavenly courts there was MOURNING [a mourning that preceded any and all mourning following a death on earth] for the RUIN that sin had wrought.

     “The Son of God, heaven’s glorious Commander [title as Michael the Archangel, Commander-in-Chief of the heavenly host of angels], was touched with PITY for the fallen race. His heart was moved with INFINITE COMPASSION as the WOES of the lost world rosé up before Him. 

     “But divine love had conceived A PLAN WHERBY MAN MIGHT BE REDEEMED. The BROKEN LAW [by disobedience] demanded the LIFE of the sinner [‘the wages of sin is death;’ and ‘sin is the transgression of the law.’]. In all the universe there was BUT ONE who could, in behalf of man, satisfy its claims. 

     “Since the divine law is AS SACRED as God Himself, only one EQUAL WITH GOD could make ATONEMENT for its transgression None but Christ could REDEEM fallen man FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, and bring him again into HARMONY WITH HEAVEN [note this!].

     “Christ would take upon Himself the GUILT AND SHAME  OF SIN, —-SIN SO OFFENSIVE to a holy God that IT MUST SEPARATE THE FATHER AND HIS SON. Christ would reach the depths of misery to RESCUE the ruined race.” (End quote).

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration : THE GOSPEL AND ITS PURPOSE – Part 3

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

June 4, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

THE GOSPEL AND ITS PURPOSE – Part 3

First, here’s one of the most succinct, precise, simple, accurate, and pure summation of what the “gospel” means, what it was divinely designed to accomplish once and for all, for the sin and sinner problem.

   (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):

     “The gospel is a system of practical truths destined to work  great changes in human CHARACTER. If it does not work the TRANSFORMATION in life, in habits, and practice, it is NO TRUTH to them who claim to believe it. Man [with fallen, sinful nature] must be SANCTIFIED through the truth. And said Jesus, ‘Thy [God the Father’s] word is truth.’ (John 17:17). UNLESS the truth of God shall lift up man OUT OF his depravity, his intemperate and profligate habits, and make his reflect the IMAGE OF GOD [as revealed in Christ’s character], he is LOST.” – Ellen G. White, Letter 14, March 13, 1885. 

When carefully compared with the scriptures cited previously, and what Paul declared below, without any preconceived ideas, it is pure, saving truth indeed!: 

     “But If our gospel be hid, if is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the IMAGE of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Cor. 4: 3-5, K.J.V. (Read verses 1-3). 

Here is more enlightenment: 

    “By sin the IMAGE OF GOD in man has been marred and well-nigh obliterated; it is the work of the gospel to RESTORE that which has been lost.” E. G. White, Vol. 5, Testimonies, p. 743. 

     “When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, FREEDOM from sin. The GLORY, the fulness, the completeness of the GOSPEL PLAN IS FULFILLED in the life.” – Ibid, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 420. 

To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration – Part 2: THE GOSPEL AND ITS PURPOSE 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

May 28, 2025

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration – Part 2

THE GOSPEL AND ITS PURPOSE 

Among fellow mortals, there were few men who could speak for and in behalf of all the apostles and true messengers and servants of God in these last days till the close of probation. 

One of them is apostle Paul, dramatically converted and transformed by grace from the feared Pharisaical zealot of Judaism and prominent persecutor of Christ’s very first disciples in Judea. 

Paul was uniquely privileged to be taken in vision to “the third heavens, paradise Itself, where he heard language that is not lawful to speak on earth” possessing profound knowledge of the “deep things of God” having been granted the confidence declared with certainty (emphasis supplied):

     “For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ: for it the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION  to everyone that believeth. . . . For THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD REVEALED from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:16, 17, A.V.

Christ means “the Anointed One.” Jesus means “He shall save His people FROM their sins.” (Matt. 1:21). And “God is love, light, and life.” 

Jesus Christ’s gospel is verily  “the good news” of salvation for all fallen, sinful mankind “for therein is revealed “to the world, men, and angels” God’s power, purpose, and plan to save fallen mankind completely, fully, and eternally from the curse of sin, “the transgression of the law,” the “wages of which is death”, that is, “the second death.” 

In the imponderable “mystery of godliness” God divine was manifested in the human flesh” (1 Tim 3:16). God Creator partook of the flesh and blood likeness of sinful flesh”, four thousand years after the fall in Eden, and “condemned,” not condoned, “sin in flesh that the righteousness of God might be fulfilled in us.”  The Creator became the “second Adam” to redeem the failure of the first Adam, the original father of the human race. 

The gospel of Christ is first a revelation God’s perfect love, enduring mercy, and “righteousness without a flaw” to the sinner, inviting him to accept by simple, childlike faith the complete efficacy of the atoning blood shed by His substitutionary death at Calvary’s cross as the promised “seed of a woman” (Gen. 3:15), verily the Creator of heaven and earth “in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” This is He, the Desire of ages, “the only-begotten Son of God the Father who, “in the mysterious “love that constraineth us,” offered Him as the Sacrificial “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” —the only-acceptable price demanded by the Creator and Lawgiver’s own immutable law, the foundation of His eternal throne and transcript of His character, which was transgressed by His creatures.  

Fallen mankind was thus first redeemed in his totally-helpless condition as hostage/prisoners by his inherent fallen, sinful, carnal, mortal nature to Satan the “adversary of God and man” and a slave to sin. 

By faith in Christ’s once-and-for-all perfect atoning sacrifice as the Lamb of God, he receives the imputed righteousness of Christ by justification, the forgiveness of sins repented and confessed by faith in Christ’s “faithful and just power to forgive sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”  Thereafter, he daily walks and lives “by faith that works by love” (Gal. 5:6) and purifies the soul temple, constantly beholding Christ’s perfect righteousness and character-perfecting life by His empowering grace imparted through the Holy Spirit 

Hereunder is described the saving grace and power of Christ’s redeeming blood shed at Calvary for the forgiveness or pardon of sins  emphasis supplied):

    “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence [carefulness, margin]; having made known the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He had PURPOSED in Himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, BOTH which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even IN Him. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestined according to the PURPOSE of Him who worketh after the COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL THAT WE SHOULD BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY [His righteous character] who first trusted in Christ. In whom also ye trusted after ye heard the WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION to whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise [the promised Holy Spirit as Christ’s Successor and Vicegerent on earth]—which is the earnest of our inheritance [‘heritage of Jacob’] UNTIL the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the PRAISE of His glory [His glorious character].” Eph. 1:7-14, KJV. 

Carefully read that again, pleading for the Holy Spirit of truth’s enlightenment. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.