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. Romans 5:1
There
was enmity between us and God, caused by sin. Jesus' mission to the
earth was to bring to an end this hostility between us and God. But this
could only be done through His death on the cross and His resurrection
from the dead. When these were accomplished, it became possible for God
and man to be one, but for man to come into the benefit of this
accomplishment, he has to believe that truly, God raised Jesus Christ
from the dead showing that He was totally satisfied with the payment of the penalty for sin by Christ. Upon
believing this truth, the enmity that once existed between man and God
will be revoked and in its place, peace is restored with God.
To
deny that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead is to remain an enemy
of God by choice, and the consequence of this, if one dies in this
state, is eternal separation from God. It's for this reason that
everyone to whom the work of preaching the gospel is committed must
ensure that the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is
kept on the fore of all that is done and said. Apostle Paul could say
that he determined to know nothing amongst the brethren in Corinth, but
Christ and Him crucified. Nothing less is expected of us today because
nothing short of this truth can bring man and God together.
Toni
