The Problem
How to make mankind holy enough that God would fellowship with mankind?
How to rid the world of sin?
Humanity cannot stop sin because man is not capable of continuing in holiness.
God tried to allow man the opportunity to keep holy and follow God's ways but Adam failed and brought sin upon all humanity, "For by the one man's offense death reigned through the one. ."Romans 5:17.
Adam's Family failed also, Genesis 6:1-6, and God was sorry that he had made man.
God started over with another man, Abraham, but he failed and tried to fix things for God by having Ishmael.
God tried through Abraham's seed but Esau and Jacob failed, always fighting and unable to remain holy.
God built up a nation through Jacob to redeem the world of sin by giving them laws and ordinances, but Israel failed also. But they could not able to keep the Law of God. Galatians 2:16, ". . .knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law. . ."
Mal 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I do not change. . ."
Heb 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
So, If God does not change, What was going to Work? God was not going to change being holy in order to bring people to holiness, and mankind was not doing anything to change.
What could be done? Is there anything that can change people to be holy like God?
What would work to permanently change people?
There are only three things that has ever change people to do good or be better as human beings:
God. God intervening in people's lives will cause a person to truly decide to change their ways and work at being better.
Children. Children can touch the heart of a person and this will cause them to become a better person. Especially if it is your own child.
Love. When a person is receiving love, that love can cause a person to become a better person. This love can come from anyone to include the love of an animal. When you start loving back, this can motive you to change.
These same things can also change God. And they did change him.
Galatians 4: 4-6
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father! [NKJV]
1. When Jesus Came God Changed the Rules.
God incarnate. The thought that God would dwell in human form was blasphemy to those under the Law. Since God was the only one without sin He was the only one who could actually get rid of sin. So he manifested himself into humanity as God with us – Emmanuel. Then He was able to overcome sin and death but not until Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
God did not start changing until we had Christmas.
2. Something Changed God – It was Jesus.
God no longer requires man to balance with the Law for salvation, but by His son.
[Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV] 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
[Acts 4:12, 27, 30 NKJV] 12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ... 27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ... 30 "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
In Jesus, now God feels as a human, Hebrews 4:15.
This changes everything. Now God feels man's weakness and He better understands the need to give mankind something to help with man’s inability to do right. God now understands why man is weak and unable to keep from sin. Through Jesus, God understands man, what is like to be a man, Hebrews 2:14.
[Hebrews 2:14 NKJV] 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
3. He Changed the Rules
There was a Ministry of death, of condemnation.
If you sin you die, 2Cor 3:4-6; Hebrews 11:6.
Life or death Dt 30:15-16
Blessing or curse Dt 11:26-28
The God of the Old Testament has changed, he is not the same in the New Testament
We now have Grace, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness.
No other gods – yet there is a trinity. Hebrews think Christians have three gods.
Sacrifices are required for sin. Jesus fulfilled the law, no more bulls and goats.
No more sacrifices, he nailed it to the cross: Colossians 2:13-14.
No more dwelling in the temple. . .
But in the hearts of people - Jesus lives in you: Col. 1:27 ; Eph 3:17.
The spirit to dwell in people - Being filled of the Spirit: Rom 8:9-11.
No more just Jews but also Gentiles – it is the body of Christ, Gal 3:5-6.
Not only the priests to teach truths of God, but now the Holy Spirit.
Now we are filled with the Holy Spirit, before his spirit was upon a specific person to accomplish the purpose God wanted done.
We are now to be engulfed in his spirit to use his power and abilities.
We are to take charge over the things that would keep us from completing the truths of God, 2Cor 10:4-6. This is for all who comes to Christ.
Not a select few to govern for the Lord as the Levities and priests but authority is given to the body of Christ that all can edify everyone and build up the entire body.
Galatians 4:4-5 When the fullness of time had come. . . God changed the rules. . . .
HE CHANGED THE RULES! He dwells IN Us not on or with Us!
IT TOOK JESUS COMING ON THAT FIRST CHIRSTMAS TO CHANGE GOD!
Finally mankind can overcome sin and death through the blood of Jesus Christ.
We can use the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) to become more like God.
We can use the Gifts of the Spirit (1Corinthians 12:1-10) To help each other and overcome in Life.
We can use the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to overcome Satan and sin.
Now we are able to have full and complete fellowship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.