*THE ADAMIC HERITAGE **By Pastor Bob Hanna*

*THE ADAMIC HERITAGE *
*By Pastor Bob Hanna*

*"There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned and come
short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10,23). Most believers think of
these statements in the sense that because we have committed many sins,
we must confess them and repent of them in order to attain salvation. In
actuality, however, even if it were possible for one never to have
sinned at all (which it is not) he would nevertheless be guilty and
under condemnation, separated from God and in need of salvation. Most
evangelical teaching is geared to pleading with God to forgive us for
sins that we have committed. But the most important factor is either
misunderstood or overlooked. The fact is that our condemnation is
inherited from Adam.

"Wherefore as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: For
until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is
no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them
that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is
the figure of Him that was to come" (Romans 5:12-14). King David had
knowledge of this condition. He said, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). As for the plea for
forgiveness, this too is misunderstood by the majority of teachers,
pastors and evangelists. To beg God for forgiveness is in fact a denial
of His finished work of redemption on Calvary's cross. He has already
forgiven; we have but to thank Him for it in order to claim it for
ourselves.

Our apostle's message is clear: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which
hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have
redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins"
(Colossians1: 12-14). "For if through the offence of one many be dead,
much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man
Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" (Romans 5:15). "Thanks be unto
God for His unspeakable gift" ( II Corinthians 9:5).


*We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.*