From Death to Life | 40 Days of Dying to Self and Living for Christنموونە
It does not take much to be confronted with the sinfulness of our world. We can turn on the news and receive images of countries waging war. We can open our phones and receive messages about people fighting or hurting. Sin is also apparent not only around us but within us. We can think bitter thoughts about a co-worker or lash out in anger at a family member. It is discouraging to see how sin has impacted our world and our hearts. But it was not always this way.
Genesis 1–2 shows us a world much different than our own. God created a world without sin, and because He did, Creation was a place of goodness and peace. God and man lived in perfect harmony, and mankind lived in perfect harmony with themselves and the creation around them. But all of this changed when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. When Adam and Eve listened to the words of the serpent and went against God’s command, they sinned, bringing sin into the world. Sin tainted every part of Creation, causing God’s good creation to become broken.
The creation narrative, including the story of the Fall, reminds us of where sin comes from and why the world is the way that it is now. But the creation narrative also reminds us of the hope that we have for the brokenness sin created. Genesis 3:15 points ahead to Jesus, who would one day defeat sin and death on the cross. Although it was mankind who brought sin into the world, God made a plan for restoration to be possible through Christ. Though we live in a broken world because of sin and wrestle with sin ourselves, the gospel gives us hope. Because of Jesus, we are able to receive salvation and forgiveness for our sin. And one day, Jesus will return to rid the world of sin once and for all. So as we live in this broken world, we do so with peace, looking back at the cross and looking forward to the day Jesus makes all things new.
Reflect and Respond
How does the truth that God will restore this world through Christ bring you peace as you live in this broken world?
About this Plan
Lent is a time when we prepare our hearts for Easter, often by reflecting on our sin and the sacrifice Jesus made for our sin. While it can be hard to reflect on our sin, doing so causes us to be even more grateful for the grace of Christ. In this five-day plan, we will consider the seriousness of our sin while also fixing our eyes on the gospel...
More