God's Way Series

God's Way of Reconciling the World to Himself

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lifeHERITAGE Bible Studies are designed to encourage you to thoughtfully reflect on the biblical text. Please take the time to look at the text in its context before answering. If you experience difficulty in seeing how the text relates to the question, please let us know. Remember to pray before you start, and click "finish" when you are done. May the Spirit be with you.
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GOD’S WAY OF RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF
Mr. Ferguson had laid down the rules from day one. All the boys in his class knew that crime and unruly behavior would not be tolerated. These were the days before the abolishment of corporal punishment and the penalty for each offence was to be twelve stripes on the bare back with a horse whip. It seemed harsh and cruel, but Mr. Ferguson’s only desire was for the boys to live together in harmony and respect. He knew that if there were no rules the boys would be left to a chaotic existence.

Apart from the apparently stringent rules, Mr. Ferguson was a nice man. He was extremely resourceful and made the boys know that any material thing they needed-within reason-he would give to them if they asked. Furthermore, he was available twenty-four hours a day to help them if they were in trouble or faced with the temptation of breaking any of the rules. Mr. Ferguson was going to do everything in his power to make sure that none of these boys would receive those twelve flesh piercing lashes from that cruel whip.

Then it happened. One by one, each boy managed to break the rules: cheating, theft, bullying, teasing, extortion, disrespect, lying, truanting.... As the day for administering justice came, Mr. Ferguson approached the class with tears in his eyes. As he looked at that whip and anticipated the punishment that each boy justly deserved, his heart was moved with compassion. They knew the rules, yet they still disobeyed. But there was a look in their eyes that said they had learned their lesson. There was a look that said they were sorry. But the penalty had to be paid. Justice had to be upheld.

In the silence of the moment, Mr. Ferguson could be seen removing his jacket..., then his shirt..., then his vest as his scarless ebony body was made manifest to the class. Then he did the unthinkable. He handed the whip to the one in the class who had offended the most and ordered him to administer justice–twelve stripes with all the strength he had. At that moment, Mr. Ferguson–the one who had written the rules and was not even subject to them–stopped being righteous judge and became faultless offender. Faultless because he had done nothing wrong. Offender because he identified with his erring students, all of whom were guilty. As the whip connected with his back for the twelfth and final time and separated the black skin from the pink flesh, the red blood oozed from his vessels and ran down Mr. Ferguson’s back–covering the rule book which sat on the table where Mr. Ferguson had positioned his weak body. Thereupon he struggled to his feet and addressed the boys in the class: “You are all forgiven, your debt has been paid in full.” With this act, the entire class was once again reconciled to their beloved teacher. In this lesson we will discover a greater love as we investigate GOD’S WAY OF RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF.
QUESTIONS
1. Many modern psychologists and other behavioral scientists advance theories that suggest a person is not responsible for his or her behavior. According to the Bible, who is responsible for a person’s actions?
Ezekiel 18:4, 20
2. Many people have lived who have acquired the status of “saint.” In fact, you may know people who appear to be very close to God. Nonetheless, can any human claim to be sinless?
Romans 3:10-12, 23
3. Who is the only exception to the rule?
Hebrews 4:15
4. Through whom did humans become affected by sin?
Romans 5:12-14
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
5. How did sin affect the human race?
Genesis 2:17

Romans 6:23a

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Romans 5:12-14

Hebrews 18:4, 20
6. Through whom were humans released from the effects of sin?
Romans 6:23b

Romans 5:18

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

(note: both Adam and Jesus are representatives of the entire human race: Adam as the only “created” son of God and Jesus as the only “born” Son of God.)
7. How did Jesus release us from the effects of sin?
Romans 5:8

(note: it cannot be overstated at this point that Christ died the death that we all should die, a death that indicates total and eternal separation from the Creator God.)
8. Could any human ordinary human being who was born from the seed of Adam deliver the human race from the shackles of sin?
Romans 3:23

Romans 6:23
9. How did God deal with this dilemma?
John 1:14

Philippians 2:6-7

2 Corinthians 5:21
10. How do the words of Jesus on the cross demonstrate the full extent of his sacrifice for humans?
Mark 15:34

Luke 23:46
11. What is the basis of the Christian’s hope?
1 Corinthians 15:14-19
I am learning to better appreciate the sacrifice made for me on Calvary by the One who surrendered the security of unbridled Divinity and fully identified with inferior humanity so that we would not have to perish but have everlasting life. Thank you Jesus.
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