"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18).
The covenants of the Old Testament were ratified by the blood of animals because there was no man worthy to die and satisfy God’s wrath against sinful humanity. As we can see from yesterday’s study, Jesus Christ fulfilled the typology (the symbolism that pointed to His future work) of the old covenant sacrifices. Beginning today we will investigate further the cross of Christ and its meaning in our lives.
Many people are not concerned about Christianity because they are not persuaded of their personal need for atonement. We live in a self-centered culture that has been called the “me-generation.” If I don’t see how something personally applies to me, I’m not interested—that’s the modern view.
In order to overcome this lack of concern about atonement, we must acknowledge the objective truth of Christianity. God really exists. He created and owns this world. He gave it to mankind to govern under His laws and man has rebelled. God is angry and intends to punish mankind. These are facts and they constitute the objective reality in which all human beings live.
It is also a fact that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die under His wrath for the sins of His people. God now requires all human beings to acknowledge Jesus’ work on their behalf and to submit to Him as Savior and King. These also are facts, and they constitute the objective reality in which all humans live.
Whether men feel the need for a savior or not, the fact is they desperately need one. All men are accountable to God, yet nobody measures up. God is holy. Sin is an objective offense against Him personally. If modern, self-centered people could come to see these objective facts they would break down the doors of the Church begging for salvation. They, like the Philippian jailer, would cry out, “What must I do to be saved?”
Before we will see revival in our time, we must recover the objective truths of the gospel that have been discarded by a culture that caters only to their own desires and fulfillment.
If you are reading this lesson, chances are you are already a Christian. But have you been infected with the “me-generation” attitude? Do you complain to your preacher that he is not giving you enough “practical” things to do, or that he is not entertaining you emotionally? How well do you respond when you are preached the mind-altering objective facts of the Biblical message?
