Sin alienated man from God and caused Jesus to be hung on a cross. Sin kept Adam and Eve from enjoying an eternal relationship with God; as such, all of mankind was doomed to an existence that was and is less than perfection. Life is filled with anguish, turmoil, and disease, all brought on because of disobedience to God by Adam and Eve. Many reject that premise as truth and try to find other reasons for man’s misbehavior. Excuses of all kinds are offered in hope that sin can be shoved under the rug, hidden from prying eyes, especially those eyes of God. But all to no avail for the scriptures say in Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

The word of God cuts into each person and examines the thoughts and intent of each individual. It looks at the desires, plans, and actions contemplated, which by so doing shows them to be either right and pleasing to God or wrong. A conscience in tune with God will know the difference and choose God’s way. The writer also said that all are open to God’s eyes and naked to him; meaning there is no way to hide the sinful acts from God. Remember, Adam and Eve were naked before God due to unbelief and consequent disobedience.

Mankind’s behavior in the world from the beginning until now shows a world not readily agreeable to pleasing God. Adam and Eve disobeyed, having chosen to follow the words of the serpent. Theirs was the first evidence of unbelief in the world. Then Cain didn’t believe God about offering his best and slew Abel because he was mad that God favored Abel, only because Abel gave his best as an offering to God. The root of sin for Adam, Eve and Cain was unbelief.

In the 21st Century, conditions are like those in the days of old but with one exception. The people have a Savior that has liberated them from sin by dying on a cross and rising from the dead. Though he lived and still lives seated at God’s right hand, the people still don’t believe it and continue on in their sins. They should be as  the publican in Luke 18:13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  The truth is Jesus was merciful to not only the publican, who knew he was a sinner, but to all of mankind when he went to the cross and died for everyone. The father whose child was afflicted with a spirit that threatened the life of the child received the answer when he asked Jesus to help his child. Jesus replied in Mark 9:23: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Then in Mark 9:24, we find the father’s reaction: And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. In Mark 9:25-27 Jesus helped the unbelief to depart: When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.  26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. Jesus showed his power over disease which testified of God’s power in him and his ability to cure unbelief.

© 01-14-2003 DEC

 Revised 03-23-2008

                        Next Lesson  Sin and Unbelief Part II