Why Did Jesus Have to Come to be a Man?

By Jeanne Dennis
Guest Writer

CBN.com – When a man breaks the laws of the society in which he lives, he loses the right to move about freely in that society, among the people who abide by its laws. He is arrested and made to pay for his crime, to “pay his debt to society.”

In the same way, when we break God’s laws, we lose the right to associate freely with Him. God is perfect in every way, and our wrong thoughts and actions separate us from Him. Our debt for disobeying Him must also be paid.

The only problem is that we can’t pay our debt to God. Even the tiniest offense is too great, because He is ultimate greatness, ultimate holiness, ultimate purity. It’s something like committing a crime against a common citizen versus committing one against a king. The first might be only a misdemeanor; the second could be treason, punishable by death.

However, our sins against God require a much grander comparison. God isn’t just a king. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, awesome Lord and Creator of the universe. Offenses against Him are infinitely worse than the highest of high treason.

When we break God’s laws, we are not just disappointing a warm, loving, good buddy in the sky. We are shaking our fists in the face of the Eternal One, the One who spoke everything into existence and formed us in our mothers’ wombs. Our sins against Him demand ultimate payment. We deserve death and eternal torment, and that is the punishment we will suffer, unless we access the means of forgiveness God has provided for us.

The penalty for sin against a holy God is death, but the one who dies to pay for this highest treason must be perfect in every way—without blemish, without sin. No man, woman, or child can fit that requirement, because only God is perfect. Yet a human had to die for the sins of humanity. So God Himself, out of love for all the people He created, paid the debt by taking on human form Himself.

Jesus, one of the three persons of the Trinity (three persons in one God), emptied Himself of glory and humbled Himself to become a baby, who grew into a man and chose to die on the cross to pay for our sins.

Lest we think of Jesus as just a man, John the Apostle said that all things were made through him (John 1:3). This identifies Jesus as Creator—God in human flesh.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God called Himself a savior and urged all people everywhere to turn to Him and be saved (Isaiah 45:22).

Jesus had to come to be a man so that we could be forgiven of our incredible debt and have the right to live for eternity in God’s holy, awesome presence.

To open your prison cell, a key—the forgiveness Jesus provided—is free for the asking. Are you ready to let Jesus pay your debt to God and set you free for eternity?

Do You Want a Relationship with God?

If you want to have a relationship with God, and know that the shed blood of Jesus will cover your sins, pray this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you took the pain of the cross to give me new life. I ask you to come into my life and to give me your peace and joy. I confess that I am a sinner -- that I have gone my own way and have done wrong. Please forgive me for my sins. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to follow you and to serve you all my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The things of your old life have passed away and He has made all things new.

We want to join you in celebrating your new life. Please send us an e-mail to let us know that you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior. Or you can call our Prayer Counseling Center at (800) 759-0700. A caring friend is available to talk with you and send you some resources to help you begin your walk with the Lord.

Learn more about new life in Jesus Christ

Gordon Robertson: What does it mean to be 'born again?'

A Higher Calling: Guide to Christian Life

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Living by the Book: Learn more about being a Christian

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Learn more about the Bible at our Spiritual Life section

As an award-winning author, national speaker, and BreakPoint Centurion, Jeanne Dennis partners with Christian families to pass on the heritage of faith. She is the author/co-author of eleven books, including Running Barefoot on Holy Ground: Childlike Intimacy with God. You can e-mail her at : jeanne_dennis@mac.com

More from Jeanne at www.jeannedennis.com.