The Problem of Sin and God’s Redemption Plan

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1. The Purpose of Creation and Humanity’s Role



Before addressing the problem of sin, we must first understand the purpose of creation. The Bible teaches that God created the world and humanity with a specific design and purpose. Genesis 1:26-27 reveals that man was created in the image and likeness of God, designed for a relationship with Him and to reflect His glory on earth.

Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV):

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

God’s purpose for humanity included:

  • Relationship with God: Humanity was created to live in harmony with God, enjoying fellowship and communion with Him.
  • Dominion: Humanity was tasked with ruling over the earth as God’s representatives.
  • Reflection of God’s character: Being made in God’s image, humanity was meant to mirror His goodness, love, and holiness.
  • Multiplication and stewardship: God commanded humans to “be fruitful and multiply” and to care for creation (Genesis 1:28).

2. The Fall of Man and the Problem of Sin



Despite being created in God’s image, mankind rebelled against God’s command. The Fall, as recorded in Genesis 3, marks the moment when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Tempted by Satan in the form of a serpent, they chose to eat the forbidden fruit, which led to the breaking of their relationship with God.

Genesis 3:1-6 (ESV):

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, "You shall not eat of any tree in the garden"?'... So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes... she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."

This act of disobedience had far-reaching consequences:

  • Separation from God: Sin created a spiritual divide between God and humanity (Isaiah 59:2). Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24).
  • Death: Both physical and spiritual death entered the world as a result of sin. God warned Adam that disobedience would bring death (Genesis 2:17), and Romans 6:23 reiterates that “the wages of sin is death.”
  • Corruption of the human heart: From this point on, human nature was tainted by sin, and every person born into the world would inherit this sinful nature (Romans 5:12).

3. God’s Redemption Plan through Jesus Christ



Though humanity fell into sin, God had a plan to redeem and restore His creation. His plan of redemption is centered on Jesus Christ, who came to defeat sin and death.

Genesis 3:15 (ESV):

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

This is the first prophecy of the coming Savior, pointing to Jesus Christ, the "offspring" who would ultimately defeat Satan and sin. God’s redemption plan unfolds through several stages in the Bible:

  1. Covenants: God initiated covenants with figures like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah (Genesis 12:1-3, 2 Samuel 7:12-16).

  2. The Prophets: Throughout the Old Testament, prophets foretold the coming of a Savior who would bring salvation to Israel and the world (Isaiah 53:4-6).

  3. The Incarnation: In the New Testament, God’s plan of redemption culminated in Jesus Christ’s incarnation. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to live a sinless life and die as a substitute for humanity’s sin.

John 1:14 (ESV):

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Romans 5:8 (ESV):

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

  1. Atonement: Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate act of atonement for sin. His sacrifice paid the penalty for sin and satisfied God’s justice. Jesus took on the sin of the world so that humanity could be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV):

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

  1. Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead, defeating both sin and death. His resurrection gives believers the hope of eternal life and the assurance that God’s redemption is complete.

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV):

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

4. Salvation through Faith



God’s redemption plan is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a free gift, not earned by works but by grace through faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV):

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Believers are justified, made righteous before God, by their faith in Christ (Romans 3:22-24). Through this faith, they are restored to a relationship with God and given eternal life.

5. Humanity’s Role in God’s Plan



As recipients of salvation, believers are called to live in accordance with God’s will. This includes:

  • Sanctification: The process of growing in holiness, becoming more like Christ in character (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
  • Obedience to God’s commands: Following Jesus involves obedience to His teachings and commands (John 14:15).
  • Proclaiming the Gospel: Believers are commissioned to spread the message of salvation to others (Matthew 28:18-20).
  • Stewardship: Christians are called to care for God’s creation and live responsibly, as God’s image-bearers on earth.

6. The Final Restoration


God’s redemption plan does not end with individual salvation. The Bible teaches that God will ultimately restore all of creation. At the return of Christ, the curse of sin will be completely reversed, and a new heaven and earth will be established (Revelation 21:1-4).

Revelation 21:4 (ESV):

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

In this new creation, God’s original purpose for humanity will be fully realized, as we dwell in perfect fellowship with Him for eternity.

Conclusion

The problem of sin is a central theme of Scripture, but so is the hope of redemption. God’s love for humanity is displayed through His ongoing plan to rescue, restore, and transform His creation. Through Jesus Christ, the effects of the Fall are reversed, and believers are brought into eternal relationship with God.

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