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Death of a Lamb

Article by Staff

Sin produces death, a truth woven into the fabric of God's design. Death is the wages of sin, the penalty for failing to live according to God's way. It is not death itself that is the true evil, but sin, which incurs this penalty. God does not desire for any of His children to live in eternal misery due to sin, as satan and his demons do. Instead, He offers the opportunity for salvation and eternal life, ensuring that those who persist in sin after ample chance to repent face the merciful penalty of the second death, an eternal sleep. This reflects God's love, as He does not wish eternal torment upon His creation but rather a chance for joyful, obedient eternal life. The sting of death is sin, a profound agony exemplified in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He bore the spiritual torture of billions of sins laid upon Him, an unimaginable pain akin to countless stings spreading through His being. Yet, He looked beyond the suffering and death to the joy of resurrection and reunion with His Father, understanding the victory over death that awaited. Through His death and resurrection, Christ won the first crucial battle against sin and death, granting His followers the chance to fight in subsequent battles and ultimately receive the gift of eternal life. Death, though an enemy, is part of God's creation, designed with purpose. It serves as a test and a consequence, yet God will ultimately destroy it along with sin. The war against these enemies continues, with significant battles ahead, including the first resurrection and the final defeat of satan and death itself. When that day comes, death will be swallowed up in victory, and there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God will be fulfilled, and the joy of God's Family will be complete as the former things pass away.

What Sin Is

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Sin produces death, a profound consequence that permeates all humanity. Through one man, sin entered the world, and death through sin, spreading to all because all have sinned. Death indiscriminately affects everyone, as sin holds humans under its authority, reigning in death with a depraved nature. Sin is a living, malignant power that once had complete dominion over us, and even after conversion, it struggles to retain its grip. It is not merely an external force but has infiltrated every fiber of our being, making whoever commits sin a slave to it. God warns that if sin is not resisted, it lies at the door, ready to dominate and increase iniquity, with a persistent desire to rule over us. The detrimental effects of sin may not be immediately apparent, yet they eat away at physical and spiritual vitality, often taking years or generations to manifest. Sin's pervasive influence is undeniable, encompassing all in its path and leading to a fatal end if not confronted and overcome.

Sin, Christians, and the Fear of God

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Sin is portrayed in the Bible with intense severity because it stands as a major impediment to achieving God's purpose for creating mankind. It is not seen as a minor act but as a profound failure, a defeat in life's overall purpose each time it occurs. Sin creates estrangement from God, separating us from the source of our power to succeed, as His hand is not shortened to save, nor His ear heavy to hear, but our iniquities hide His face from us. God created us for an everlasting relationship with Him in peaceful and productive harmony, yet sin destroys relationships, making us unfit for a non-sinning bond with Him. A continuing life of sin destroys any hope of oneness, never healing or improving matters, as lasting success and sound relationships are never achieved through it. Sin is an implacable enemy, lying at the door with a desire for us, which we must rule over to be accepted by God. If not defeated to His satisfaction, our eternal relationship with Him will not continue. The wages of sin are death, confirming that sin destroys life itself.

How Does Temptation Relate to Sin?

'Ready Answer' by Martin G. Collins

We have been called to a life of avoiding, enduring and overcoming temptation. Here is the process of temptation, sin and their products, and destruction.

The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our fear of being judged negatively by God should spur us to greater obedience and growth toward godliness. The fear of God is a fundamental mindset.

The Elements of Motivation (Part Six): Eternal Life

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

If you knew you would live forever, how would you live? Biblically, eternal life is much more than living forever: It is living as God lives!

Never Forget

Sermon by Ryan McClure

After Adam and Eve sinned, God provided them a vivid introduction to death, perhaps killing an animal in their presence to make tunics for them to wear.

Elements of Motivation (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though sin offers fleeting pleasure, we must learn to intensely hate sin, regarding this product of Satan as a destroyer of everything God loves.

An Unpayable Debt and Obligation

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

When God calls us and redeems us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we suddenly come under obligation—a debt we cannot pay but overshadows all we do.

The Awesome Cost of Salvation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.

Values and Conversion

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Repentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.

Four Views of Christ (Part 7)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.

Thou Shall Not Covet

Sermon by John O. Reid

Because virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments.

Elisha and the Shunammite Woman, Part I: Reviving God's Children

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Some of Elisha's miracles read like parables. There are parallels between modern church history and the second of these miracles in II Kings 4.

Honor Before Love

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Agape love will not occur unless we first learn to honor, esteem, and cherish God and the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice for us.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.

Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.