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Some people may wonder - "If Christ has died for all, does that mean all (people) are already saved?" To answer this I'd like to introduce later a metaphor for forgiveness and salvation, of receiving a pardon. In developing this the thought comes up, "How do we picture sin in the state of Man"? My understanding is that because of the transgression of our first ancestor Adam, when he disobeyed God, he brought death to all his descendents and because of Adam's sin ALL sinned. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And also... Rom 5:12 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. We, that is ALL people from birth are 'sinners' or "in sin" because of Adam's transgression. Sin can be pictured as a condition or a position if you like, in which Man now finds himself or herself. Imagine therefor being born inside a prison called 'sin' and growing up in it because that is the only world to which we have access. Time moves on and while living in this prison WE also transgress so there is a list of transgressions hanging over us personally, which would keep us in prison if we tried to leave! So the Law has power to keep us in jail as a result of these transgressions, because the power of sin is the Law as it says in 1 Cor 15:56. 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Jesus the Christ then comes along and dies for ALL our sins. Because of this there is a pardon with our name on it and one for every other human. This pardon has a list of ALL of our sins, past, present and future on it, signed in blood by Jesus Christ. It's also signed by God the Father as a witness; and there is a line for your signature when you accept Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf and you receive the pardon. Until you know that the pardon exists though and accept Jesus' sacrifice and receive the pardon you will continue living in 'sin'. You will live with condemnation and guilt because of your transgressions. But once you know about and accept Jesus' death on your behalf, and sign on the dotted line, you receive your pardon and walk out of the prison. It was the Law that kept you in jail but since Jesus has taken your sins on himself, and you know about this fact and have accepted Jesus as your Lord, the Law has no power over you now! ALL your sins have been paid for by Jesus and you are a free (wo)man.Now if Satan or anyone else says you are a sinner and deserve to be in jail, just show them the pardon that you have. You are FREE! You are righteous. Not because of anything that you have done but because of Jesus. Because of His life; his death carrying ALL your sins; and because of his resurection. Jesus now is your Lord, if you have signed on the dotted line. Your sins have been forgiven you and as Jesus pointed out, "He who has been forgiven much, loves much"! So you will live to please Jesus Christ who rescued you; because of your love for him (stemming from your appreciation of what he has done and continues to do for you), and this new life will be by his love and grace. Now (as a Christian) sin has NO dominion over you, because ALL your sins have been forgiven you and now you live by faith through the grace of the one who died for you; our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Best wishes for Grace and the Peace of Jesus.
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