Steps to Christ: The Sinner’s Need of Christ (Chapter 2)
This is such a crucial chapter in this book. If a person doesn’t come to the place where they recognize that they are not all that they desire to be, then God/religion/Jesus won’t mean a thing to them. Jesus dying for their sins wouldn’t make sense unless they recognize and take ownership of the fact that in and of themselves, they are unable to live a life without selfishness.
Last week on a plane ride, I met a lady by the name of Loretta. Within a few minutes of talking she discovered that I used to be an atheist and was now a follower of Jesus. She, a full time women’s advocate and humanitarian, told me that she was raised a believer but was now an atheist. As we talked she told me that she believes that the morality of humanity is “evolving” in a positive direction. Honestly I could hardly believe my ears as it seems to me that the morality of man is not moving forward, but rather digressing.
Ellen mentions that “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil.” So in the beginning we were created in the image of God to live a life of selflessness and love. Through sin, however, selfishness became paramount and now we are no longer able to resist the power of evil.
Furthermore she states that “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we can not change them. ‘Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?--Not one.’ ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be‘ (Job 14:4; Romans 8:7). Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they can not change the heart; they can not purify the springs of life.”
I hope that this doesn’t come across as judgmental, but I am fearful of some approaches that the SDA Church takes when it comes to evangelism. Sometimes it seems that we focus on education and human effort to get the life in order. And while people may look/talk/act better, does that mean that the heart is right with Jesus? In the next paragraph, Ellen states that “The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception.” Could it be that many are being led astray as the emphasis is placed on their behavior and not the life and death and resurrection of Jesus?
I love the Apostle Paul’s words when he exclaims, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25 ESV). In John 14:6 we are reminded that, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we could earn our way to Heaven, then Jesus wouldn’t have had to come to this planet to die for our sins.
I encourage you today to simply acknowledge your sins to Jesus, accept His free gift of salvation, and now walk with Him in newness of life!
Blessings,
Matthew
New Haven, CT
Posted by matthew gamble on June 30, 2009 at 06:00 AM
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HIIII!!!!!
Posted by Kristen on July 01, 2009 at 06:09 AM | #I am
having so much at camp winnekeag. Hard work but fun.
Thankyou for doing this commentary on steps to christ. I have never erad it before but they gave each staff a copy of the youth
one and i have enjoyed it so far but wanted to talk about it with someone
So i am following along so keep up the good work
“There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness.” This directs me to let Jesus be that power working from within me! Amen and Hallelujah!
Posted by alfanso petty jr on July 01, 2009 at 06:47 AM | #I just had one question about this section. On page 19 in the “Human Progress” box at the end it references Genesis 11:1-8. What does the tower of Babel have to do with anything? Is that supposed to show how man was trying to find their own plan on getting to heaven instead of by the grace of God?
Posted by Rachel on July 01, 2009 at 07:40 AM | #Sounds like you answered your own question with a question Rachel. I believe that the author was trying to show that the tower of Babel builders felt no need of God’s plan for their lives and therefore built it according to their own plan. I see a contrast in what God wanted for them and in what they wanted for themselves.
I’m glad that God has plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. He promises to do that for us. See Jeremiah 29:11-14. He says that we will be found by him and delivered from our captivity..our sins in other words. That is good news!
Posted by alfanso petty jr on July 01, 2009 at 10:46 AM | #One of my favourite sections in this Chapter is the story of Jacob and Esau which is used to illustrate how Christ frees people from the burden of guilt and sin. Jacob was burdened with guilt after deceiving Esau over his birthright. As a result he had to flee from his father’s home and was also overcome with the fear that his sin had cut him off from God.
The vision that he received of a ladder extending from earth to heaven with angels ascending up and down filled him with hope that he was not cut off from God. I love the explanation in this Chapter that refers to the ladder as representing Jesus Christ which is supported by the bible verse found in John 1:51 “Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man”.
Before, through the transgression of one man ‘Adam’ we were separated from Heaven, but now through the obedience of one, we are again linked (reconciled). Its interesting to look at the analogy of the ladder to describe Christ, obviously ladders are used for climbing and each step that we take on the rung of the ladder (Christ) brings as closer to heaven. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the author entitled this book, ‘Steps to Christ’ for a reason.
I praise God that we do not have to be oppressed by the burden of guilt, but through Christ we can have a blessed hope that our sins will be forgiven and we have an opportunity to be reconciled to God.
Posted by renop on July 15, 2009 at 12:37 AM | #amen renop!
Posted by alfanso petty jr on July 15, 2009 at 06:39 AM | #Page 1 of 1 pages