BASICS OF CHRISTIANITY 2

 2.   WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD BY SIN

Adam sinned. He represented all mankind. It is natural for us to be in a state of sin. One way of looking at this awkward statement is to say that a 'state of sin' is a state in which we do not have a relationship with God. We choose to make a relationship with God, so, before we have this relationship with him we are in a state of sin.

(We hope to look at this and other difficult topics in more detail later)

                             Creation of Eve and Original Sin1432-36
                             Fresco, Green Cloister, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3.23)

But God loves us:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.     (John 3:16)

In the Old Testament, sins could only be atoned for by sacrifice. During the feast of the Passover a lamb, a valuable possession, would be slain as a sacrifice of atonement for sin.

Jesus is our sacrificial lamb. He died in our place.

Whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us.     (Romans 5:8)

By this act, and by this act alone, Jesus enables us to have the relationship with God that God has created us for.