Why You Need A Savior!
The first question any thinking person should ask themselves when considering the future is "Why do I need a Savior at all"?
01. Who created Man and for what purpose?
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
02. What did God do after he formed man out of the dust of the ground?
Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Note
Man became a living soul, or being, when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He was called “Adam,” which means mankind.
Note 2
Every time an individual is born, it is actually just a multiplication of Adam’s one life. For this reason David said of himself, “My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret (i.e., at Creation), and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (i.e., from the dust of the ground, when he was made “in Adam” – Psalm 139:15).”
03. Out of what did God create Adam's wife?
Genesis 2:21-24
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Note
God created this world by “the word of His mouth,” except for the first man and woman. Adam (mankind) was formed by the hands of God out of dust; and Eve (mother of all) was formed out of Adam's rib. Out of this one couple the entire human race came into existence.
Therefore, the human race, to which we all belong, is the proliferation of Adam's life (see Acts 17:26). For further discussion about the creation of mankind and related issues, see Lesson 14 and its supplement.
04. What did God command Adam and Eve not to eat from in the Garden of Eden?
Genesis 2:15-17
15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Note
Because God created mankind in Adam with a free will, He had to give them an alternative choice. Loyalty to Him meant the life God gave them could continue forever. Turning their backs to Him meant turning their backs to life itself, because God is the ultimate source of life.
05. How many were affected by Adam's one sin?
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned ...
Note
Since the fall of Adam took place before he had any children, the entire human race was still in him when he sinned. As a result, all humanity suffers the consequences of that original sin, even though we are not guilty or held responsible for the Fall.
06. What reversed humanity's status from being condemned to being justified?
Romans 5:18
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Note
Justification (to be declared righteous) comes as a gift from God because of the righteous act of one man – the perfect life and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the Gospel.
07. As a result of the Fall, how many are righteous or good in God’s eyes?
Romans 3:9-12
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Note
The word “under” means to be ruled or dominated by. It was a term used to refer to slaves in Bible days. Just as a slave had no freedom but was ruled by his master, so also all humanity is “under sin,” slaves to it (see Romans 7:14). This is the universal sin problem and our only hope of deliverance is a Savior.
08. How many stand guilty or condemned under God's law?
Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
09. Through whom only do we have redemption from sin?
Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Note
The Bible is clear; man’s only hope of salvation is Jesus Christ.
10. What does David say about himself, which is also true of all of us?
Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Note
Sin, the principle of self, is a condition or a state that we all inherit from birth. It is something we are born with because of Adam's Fall. There is nothing we can do to escape it. Our only hope is in the redemption offered to us in Jesus Christ.
11. What do the wicked do from birth?
Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Note
Because of our sinful state we are wicked and go astray from birth. But since God offers us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, we can all escape this sin problem. That is the whole purpose of the gospel.
12. Like sheep, what two things have we all done?
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Note
Because of our sinful condition we are by nature self-centered. We go astray and follow our own way from the moment we are born. It is from this condition that Jesus came to save us.
13. Why can we not trust our own hearts?
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Note
Even our own hearts deceive us into believing we can save ourselves by our good works. This is where many go wrong. A good example is Peter, one of Christ’s own disciples (see John 18:15-27).
14. What does Jesus say about our own self-evaluation?
Revelation 3:17
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
Note
Most of us do not know how sinful we actually are. This is why God has to first convict us of our total sinfulness before we can appreciate His gift of salvation.
15. Instead of the interests of Jesus, how many seek their own way?
Philippians 2:21
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
Note
This problem of selfishness is inherent in every human being. Even babies demand their own way from birth.
16. What can truly set us free from our sin problem?
John 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
17. When we commit sin even against our wishes, what does it prove?
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
18. In whom only is found freedom from sin’s slavery?
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Note
Jesus is the only answer to our sin problem. Without Him we remain slaves to sin and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
19. Why did Jesus come into this world?
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Note
Even the great apostle Paul admits he is the chief of sinners whom Jesus came to save. Do you believe that Jesus can save you, too?
20. What does the Bible have to say to those who claim they are without sin?
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
21. Of what do we accuse God when we say we have not sinned?
1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Note
The only reason God's Word points us to our sin problem is not to condemn, but to show us our need of a Savior. Once we recognize this fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes incredible good news!
22. What two things does God do if we confess our sins to Him?
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note
Most people think they are sinners because they have committed sins; but the fact is we commit sins because we are born sinners. The only hope of escaping this universal sin problem is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. These Bible studies become exciting as we discover God’s plan of salvation for the entire human race in Jesus Christ. In our next study, we shall learn about God's unconditional love, the basis for our salvation. Don’t miss it!
Concluding Question
Do you accept the Biblical truth that you were born a sinner, incapable of saving yourself, and that your only hope of salvation is in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world?
The first question any thinking person should ask themselves when considering the future is "Why do I need a Savior at all"?
01. Who created Man and for what purpose?
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
02. What did God do after he formed man out of the dust of the ground?
Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Note
Man became a living soul, or being, when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. He was called “Adam,” which means mankind.
Note 2
Every time an individual is born, it is actually just a multiplication of Adam’s one life. For this reason David said of himself, “My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret (i.e., at Creation), and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth (i.e., from the dust of the ground, when he was made “in Adam” – Psalm 139:15).”
03. Out of what did God create Adam's wife?
Genesis 2:21-24
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Note
God created this world by “the word of His mouth,” except for the first man and woman. Adam (mankind) was formed by the hands of God out of dust; and Eve (mother of all) was formed out of Adam's rib. Out of this one couple the entire human race came into existence.
Therefore, the human race, to which we all belong, is the proliferation of Adam's life (see Acts 17:26). For further discussion about the creation of mankind and related issues, see Lesson 14 and its supplement.
04. What did God command Adam and Eve not to eat from in the Garden of Eden?
Genesis 2:15-17
15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Note
Because God created mankind in Adam with a free will, He had to give them an alternative choice. Loyalty to Him meant the life God gave them could continue forever. Turning their backs to Him meant turning their backs to life itself, because God is the ultimate source of life.
05. How many were affected by Adam's one sin?
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned ...
Note
Since the fall of Adam took place before he had any children, the entire human race was still in him when he sinned. As a result, all humanity suffers the consequences of that original sin, even though we are not guilty or held responsible for the Fall.
06. What reversed humanity's status from being condemned to being justified?
Romans 5:18
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Note
Justification (to be declared righteous) comes as a gift from God because of the righteous act of one man – the perfect life and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the Gospel.
07. As a result of the Fall, how many are righteous or good in God’s eyes?
Romans 3:9-12
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
Note
The word “under” means to be ruled or dominated by. It was a term used to refer to slaves in Bible days. Just as a slave had no freedom but was ruled by his master, so also all humanity is “under sin,” slaves to it (see Romans 7:14). This is the universal sin problem and our only hope of deliverance is a Savior.
08. How many stand guilty or condemned under God's law?
Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
09. Through whom only do we have redemption from sin?
Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Note
The Bible is clear; man’s only hope of salvation is Jesus Christ.
10. What does David say about himself, which is also true of all of us?
Psalm 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Note
Sin, the principle of self, is a condition or a state that we all inherit from birth. It is something we are born with because of Adam's Fall. There is nothing we can do to escape it. Our only hope is in the redemption offered to us in Jesus Christ.
11. What do the wicked do from birth?
Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Note
Because of our sinful state we are wicked and go astray from birth. But since God offers us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, we can all escape this sin problem. That is the whole purpose of the gospel.
12. Like sheep, what two things have we all done?
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Note
Because of our sinful condition we are by nature self-centered. We go astray and follow our own way from the moment we are born. It is from this condition that Jesus came to save us.
13. Why can we not trust our own hearts?
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Note
Even our own hearts deceive us into believing we can save ourselves by our good works. This is where many go wrong. A good example is Peter, one of Christ’s own disciples (see John 18:15-27).
14. What does Jesus say about our own self-evaluation?
Revelation 3:17
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
Note
Most of us do not know how sinful we actually are. This is why God has to first convict us of our total sinfulness before we can appreciate His gift of salvation.
15. Instead of the interests of Jesus, how many seek their own way?
Philippians 2:21
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
Note
This problem of selfishness is inherent in every human being. Even babies demand their own way from birth.
16. What can truly set us free from our sin problem?
John 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
17. When we commit sin even against our wishes, what does it prove?
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
18. In whom only is found freedom from sin’s slavery?
John 8:36
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Note
Jesus is the only answer to our sin problem. Without Him we remain slaves to sin and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
19. Why did Jesus come into this world?
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Note
Even the great apostle Paul admits he is the chief of sinners whom Jesus came to save. Do you believe that Jesus can save you, too?
20. What does the Bible have to say to those who claim they are without sin?
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
21. Of what do we accuse God when we say we have not sinned?
1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Note
The only reason God's Word points us to our sin problem is not to condemn, but to show us our need of a Savior. Once we recognize this fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes incredible good news!
22. What two things does God do if we confess our sins to Him?
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note
Most people think they are sinners because they have committed sins; but the fact is we commit sins because we are born sinners. The only hope of escaping this universal sin problem is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. These Bible studies become exciting as we discover God’s plan of salvation for the entire human race in Jesus Christ. In our next study, we shall learn about God's unconditional love, the basis for our salvation. Don’t miss it!
Concluding Question
Do you accept the Biblical truth that you were born a sinner, incapable of saving yourself, and that your only hope of salvation is in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world?