Bible ClinicJ One

A journey into the life, times, and teachings of the Bible

by Gary D. Strunk

Lesson 10 - He Shall Save His People From Their Sins- Part 2

In part 1 we examined the first three ways Jesus saves AHis people from their sins.@ 1. He saves them from the immediate consequences of their sins. 2. He saves them from the ultimate consequences of their sins, viz., death. 3. He saves them from the presence of sin. Now number 4. Jesus saves them from the practice of sinning.

Thousands are enslaved to habits, addictions, and relationships from which they desire to break free, but apparently cannot. Most are afraid of the pain of withdrawal whether from smoking or from a person. Some don=t seem to have a good enough reason to change; nothing else offers as much gratification as the bad habit. Others have good reasons but can=t remember them when tempted. No one is immune. Everyone has a weakness somewhere for which Divine strength is needed. And Heaven revels in the opportunity and invitation to come to their aid. There is no prayer Heaven would rather answer than the plea of a helpless soul who calls out for help to overcome.

In this lesson we examine how Jesus saves His people from the practice of sinning. First He reveals to them what sin is so they can know what to correct. Next He appeals to the sinner to turn from his sins and choose life rather than death, for sin will not be permitted in heaven or the New Earth. When an individual submits himself to God, God creates a loving and obedient nature in that individual (new birth) enabling him to obey God=s law from the heart for the first time in his life.

SIN DEFINED

1. What enabled Paul to realize that coveting was wrong? Rom. 7:7 ___________________

There is no sin that is not covered by the Ten Commandments especially as expanded by Jesus (Mt.5:21,22,27,28), for the principles of the law are Aexceedingly broad.@ (Psa. 119:96)

2. How does the Bible define sin? 1Jn. 3:4 _____________________________________

Sin is lawlessness, i.e., living without reference to God=s law, living in disregard for His law. You will also see sin defined as Athe transgression of the law ? because the King James Version (KJV) also called the Authorized Version ( AV), defined sin as Athe transgression of the law,@ and the KJV was by far the most popular Protestant version used for 300 years. It is still a good definition of sin.

Save . . . From Their Sins Part 2 2

3. Therefore, is it possible to sin without breaking the law of God? ____ Yes ____ No

4. What is the function of law? Rom. 3:20 ________________________________________

Compare Psa. 119:1-8 esp. v.6

5. As a result of its function, how is the law described? Rom. 7:9-14 __________________________________

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6. How should we feel about God=s law Psa. 119:97 _________________________________

Those who want to mature spiritually and morally want to know what they are doing wrong so they can correct their errors. Those who don=t like the way the law exposes their sin create arguments to do away with the law, or to change part of it.

GOD=S APPEAL

7. How does God feel about the death of the wicked, those who choose sin over obedience?

Eze. 33:11 ________________________________________________________________

8. What does God want the wicked to do? Eze. 33:11 ______________________________

9. What will God do with a person=s past sins? vs. 12-19 ____________________________________

10. What does God do for the one who sincerely wants to be clean? 1Jo. 1:9 ____________________________

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Although we have not studied the resurrection of Jesus, one great difference between following Jesus and following any other religion is that the founders of all other religions are dead. We know where they are buried. If we follow them we are following only their teachings, but not them. They are dead. But Christ=s grave is empty. Jesus is alive. When we follow Him, we are following One who is ready and able to help us overcome every sin that dogs us.

CONVERSION (NEW BIRTH)

11. What two things does God do for AHis People?@ Eze. 36:26,27; Heb. 10:16,17 ______________________

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12. What did Jesus say must happen to a person in order to Asee@ the kingdom of God? Jn. 3:3 ____________________________________

13. Born in what two ways to Aenter@? vs. 5,6 __________________________________________

14. Why is a new nature needed? Rom. 8:7 ______________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

15. What is the purpose of this new, spiritual nature? Rom. 8:4 ______________________________________

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16. READ Rom. 8:5-14. What are we able to do by God=s Spirit dwelling within us? v. 13 ________________

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SUCCESS SECRETS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

17. What indicates that we can be successful? Ju. 24 _______________________________________

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18. What does God do to make our success possible? 1Cor. 10:13 _____________________________

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19. What are we to do to gain success?

a. Heb. 4:15, 16 ______________________________________________________________

b. Heb. 10:24-27 _______________________________________________________________

c. Psa. 119:11 ________________________________________________________________

20. What should we do when we make mistakes?

a. 1Jn. 1:9; 2:1 ____________________________________________________________

Compare Psa. 51:1,2 This is the confession David made after he repented of his terrible sin with Bathsheba and Uriah her husband.

b. Phlp. 3:12-14

Key words v. 12 _______________________________

v. 13 _______________________________

AWhen the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan=s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Savior and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life=s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections--to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, >I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me=, Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.@--E. G. White, STEPS TO CHRIST, pp. 71-72

Saving people from their sins and the consequences of their sins was the mission given to Jesus at His incarnation (God born in human flesh). But that mission was not completed during His time on earth. He continues this work as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, and will continue until sin and sinners can be justifiably eradicated from the universe. When we come into this world we are instantly involved in a struggle between good and evil whether we like it or not. This struggle did not begin on planet earth. It began in heaven and transferred to earth. It=s important that we understand the nature of this struggle so that we will come down on the right side. In Bible Clinic II, we will examine the origin and intentions of evil before, during, and after Christ=s life on earth,, and see God=s plan for eliminating evil completely. Then and only then can we live happily ever after.

Answers:

1. The law

2. Sin is lawlessness

3. No

4. To reveal sin

5. Holy, just, good, spiritual

6. Love it

7. No pleasure in it

8. Turn from his way

9. Forget them

10. Forgive and cleanse

11. Forget their sins, give new heart and spirit

12. Born again

13. Of water and Spirit

14. Carnal mind is not even able to keep God=s law

15. Fulfill the law

16. Put to death the deeds of the body

17. God can keep us from stumbling and be faultless

18. Governs level of temptation and makes way of escape

19. a. come boldly to throne of grace b. keep meeting together to encourage each other

c. memorize His Word in our hearts (affections)

20.confess sin, stop sinning

v. 12 press on v. 13 forgetting

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