Newspaper Article Published January 29, 2020
“God’s Loving Provision of Man’s Greatest NEED”
Dr. Gary M. Barker
As we begin a new year, I want to share with you a series of meditations on the biblical doctrine of SALVATION. May I ask you one of life’s most important questions? From a divine perspective, what is man’s Greatest need? Do you think it is physical, psychological, sociological, or spiritual? The Bible teaches that man’s greatest need is to be restored in fellowship with God thru God’s plan of salvation and reconciliation. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin against God, mankind became separated from God and began to experience both spiritual and physical death. As the apostle Paul clearly says in Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death.” Adam’s seed was born sinners and like Adam was under sin’s condemnation. (Romans 3:9-18, 5:12-21). Sin’s condemnation as taught by Jesus is everlasting separation and punishment in hell (Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 9:42-48, John 3:14-21). Jesus was the Savior (Luke 2:8-11) who came to save a lost and condemned world from perishing in sin (John 3:16). Jesus said in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to SEEK and SAVE that which is lost.” The literal meaning of the name Jesus is “the Lord is Salvation.” The angel of the Lord told Joseph to name Mary’s son “Jesus” because “He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). God in love for sinful man sent His Son into the world to solve the problem of sin’s condemnation. Jesus said in John 3:17 “For God sent NOT His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world; but that the world thru Him might BE SAVED.” Jesus was the “Lamb of God” that would take away the sin of the world as proclaimed by John the Baptist (John 1:29). Man’s greatest need is to be SAVED from SIN’S CONDEMNATION.
Theologians refer to this doctrine of salvation by the term “Soteriology”. This term comes from The Greek word “soteria” which literally means to save, deliver and rescue. This theological term can be defined as the biblical doctrine of God’s plan and provision to deliver mankind from the penalties and condemnation of sin. God’s plan is called Salvation which was provided thru Jesus who is the Savior. The main concept inherent in the word salvation is DELIVERANCE. When a sinner believes in the Savior, He will be SAVED or DELIVERED from sin’s condemnation by receiving God’s forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. (John 3:16, 5:24, 10:27-29, Ephesians 1:7).
Do YOU know what your greatest need s before God? I will be writing much more about God’s salvation in future meditations.