James H. Cagle: ""For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom.5:19)
We are all daily impacted by the actions of others. What people do always affects us in either a small or great way, for good or evil, directly or indirectly.
In a general sense it’s not what people do to us that determines how we turn out, but rather how we choose to respond or react to what people do to us.
Two men who lived thousands of years apart each committed one single act that impacted forever all of humanity.
"For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom.5:19)
Paul in the above text is speaking of none other than the first man Adam and the last Adam; Jesus Christ. Each of which through a single act played a very vital role in shaping human history.
Each man’s act was his reaction to God’s revealed will. The first man Adam disobeyed God, and by his disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Death came through sin, it came through man, and came to all man (Rom. 5:12).
The consequences of his rebellion were alienation from God, suffering, pain, sorrow, destruction, and ultimately if man doesn’t repent eternal damnation.
This head of the human race represented us all. His act of sinful disobedience separated him from God, and also insured that we his descendants were born with a sinful nature, separated from God, destined to eternity in a place called hell.
In this situation we cannot react or respond in any way that we might eliminate the consequences of Adam’s action upon us. We cannot rid ourselves of our sinful nature no matter how good and moral we might conduct ourselves.
There was nothing humanly speaking that could reverse this sinful act and the condemnation and destruction it brought.
But there was One Who came for the express purpose of showing God’s love for fallen man, and by his single act of obedience to His heavenly Father’s will counteracted forever the sinful act of the first Adam.
His self-sacrifice and death on Calvary paid in full the debt sinful man owed a Holy God. And had not God responded to Adam’s sin in a way that satisfied His holy law and nature we could never be saved from the fall.
Now through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption we are delivered from the power of sin, from the consequences of our first father’s act of disobedience.
By trusting Christ as Lord and Savior we become children of God, receive His nature and Spirit, and have a home in Heaven waiting for us. The power of Adam’s sinful act imparted sin and death to all, but the power of Christ’s act imparts, today, righteousness and eternal life to all who receive Him.
We can choose to remain under the power and condemnation of Adam’s act of disobedience brought on us, or we can choose to accept Christ and rest in His finished work of Calvary.
Adam’s act was one of selfishness, but Christ’ act was an act of sacrificial love on our behalf.
The Power of a Single Act by James H. Cagle
Father it's with a grateful heart, that I thank You for
providing a way back into Your graces. Open our
hearts to understand the many blessings You offer
through what Christ did on the Cross for us.
Help us realize the enormous sacrifice He made to
be obedient to You in and through it all.
providing a way back into Your graces. Open our
hearts to understand the many blessings You offer
through what Christ did on the Cross for us.
Help us realize the enormous sacrifice He made to
be obedient to You in and through it all.
The power of Adam’s sinful act imparted sin and
death to all, but the power of Christ’s act imparts, today,
righteousness and eternal life to all who receive Him.
We praise You, Father, and ask for boldness to
proclaim this message in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: Ecc. 11:1 "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
Today’s quote: Mary Southerland: "Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits, and perspectives. We can literally change our lives by changing the way we think. In Isaiah 26:3 we find the promise, 'You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.' A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise – and praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal.
Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express our trust in God and then choose to give thanks, healing begins. Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is filled with praise. "
"Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts."
(Psalm 68:4 ICB)
(Psalm 68:4 ICB)
Some thoughts today: If you won't serve someone else's vision, don't expect God to bless yours. God's more interested in our journey than the eternal outcome.
~ Are you more in love with God through some manifestation you've experienced? Let the glory of God overshadow you, and let it mark you through it.
~ Get a hold of God for yourself! You're the one who has to have a personal, intimate relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. Don't let Him say someday, that He never knew you... (see Matt. 7:23).
~
I'd like to invite you to patronize a friend's store in Potsdam. His name is Paul, and he owns The Frame Mill, located on 13 Market St., next to Jerobi's Coffee House. The bridges will be open soon, so it would be such a blessing for you to stop in to see what he can do for you... You'll also see 3 of my framed arrangements... Thanks!
~
~ Are you more in love with God through some manifestation you've experienced? Let the glory of God overshadow you, and let it mark you through it.
~ Get a hold of God for yourself! You're the one who has to have a personal, intimate relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. Don't let Him say someday, that He never knew you... (see Matt. 7:23).
~
I'd like to invite you to patronize a friend's store in Potsdam. His name is Paul, and he owns The Frame Mill, located on 13 Market St., next to Jerobi's Coffee House. The bridges will be open soon, so it would be such a blessing for you to stop in to see what he can do for you... You'll also see 3 of my framed arrangements... Thanks!
~
24th- Tuesday’s post: #115 The Pitfall of Lack of Personal Intercession C. Peter Wagner
26th- Thursday's post: #116 The Pitfall of Unguided Prayer C. Peter Wagner
28th- Saturday's post: Loved, Loved, Loved!!
Lisa Buffaloe
29th- Sunday evening's post: Why Pray the Lord's Prayer? Unknown
26th- Thursday's post: #116 The Pitfall of Unguided Prayer C. Peter Wagner
28th- Saturday's post: Loved, Loved, Loved!!
Lisa Buffaloe
29th- Sunday evening's post: Why Pray the Lord's Prayer? Unknown
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move..."
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