Understanding our plight

 

 I asked myself a Question…

I asked myself this question: “How can I get people to see through the world’s lies and recognise their need for Christ, when so many are comfortably deceived into thinking they don’t need Him?”

The world has been hooked with false assurances: that morality, self-improvement, religion, or good works can make life right. People are lulled into a comfort that blinds them to the reality that only Christ can cover their sins and stand in their place.

Scripture paints a stark picture: humanity stands guilty, yet Christ stepped into the courtroom — fully human, yet sinless — as the only one qualified to stand in our place, pay our debt, and provide a way to escape judgment.

This post will walk through this courtroom step by step and show why even a repentant sinner must be covered by Christ to stand safely before Him.

Our Flesh: Guilty by Birth Under Adam

The Bible never treats mankind as morally neutral.

“Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men.”
— Romans 5:12

We are not sinners merely because we sin — we sin because we are born under Adam’s headship.

“By one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners.”
— Romans 5:19

This inherited condition is called the flesh.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”
— John 3:6

Therefore, Scripture concludes:

“None is righteous, no, not one.”
— Romans 3:10

Every person enters God’s court already condemned, not awaiting trial, but awaiting sentence.

Our Sin Exposed: Solomon’s Warning in Ecclesiastes

Solomon, the wisest of men, observed that human effort and self-justification cannot hide sin from God.

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:14

No one can conceal guilt. Our sins are laid bare before the Judge, no matter how carefully we cover them with excuses, works, or remorse.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10

Solomon reminds us that time does not erase sin, and our own efforts cannot justify us. Only a righteous Substitute — Christ — can cover our exposed guilt.

Why Christ Had to Be Conceived by the Holy Spirit

The virgin conception is not decorative theology — it is judicial necessity.

Sin enters humanity through one man, Adam.

“Through one man sin entered the world.”
— Romans 5:12

If Christ were conceived by ordinary human generation, He would stand under Adam and inherit Adam’s guilt.

Instead, Scripture records:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you… therefore the child to be born will be called holy.”
— Luke 1:35

Christ is holy from conception, not made holy by obedience later.

“God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law.”
— Galatians 4:4

Born of woman — truly human.
Conceived by the Spirit — free from Adamic corruption.

Thus, He stands as the last Adam, a new representative head.

“The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:45

A new humanity requires a new beginning.

Jesus’ Flesh: Fully Human, Entirely Sinless

Scripture leaves no ambiguity.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14

“Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things.”
— Hebrews 2:14

Yet His flesh was not corrupted.

“He committed no sin.”
— 1 Peter 2:22

“In Him there is no sin.”
— 1 John 3:5

Jesus entered the court as a man, but not as a criminal.

God’s Court: Justice Cannot Be Suspended

God is not a negotiator. He is Judge.

“The LORD has established His throne for justice.”
— Psalm 9:7

“The soul who sins shall die.”
— Ezekiel 18:4

“He will by no means clear the guilty.”
— Exodus 34:7

The law demands satisfaction, not apology.

The Courtroom Explained: Humanity, Law, and the Substitute

Scripture frames salvation as a legal transaction:

1.   The Charge: Every human stands guilty.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

2.  The Problem: Justice cannot ignore guilt.

“He will by no means clear the guilty.”
— Exodus 34:7

3.  The Rule of Substitution: Only an innocent, human, willing substitute can satisfy the law.

“No man can ransom another.” — Psalm 49:7
“By a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” — 1 Corinthians 15:21
“I lay down My life of My own accord.” — John 10:18

4.  The Exchange: Guilt is counted to Christ; righteousness is credited to the sinner.

“The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” — Isaiah 53:6
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21

5.  The Verdict: The Judge remains and declares the sinner acquitted.

“So that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” — Romans 3:26

Why Only a Sinless Man Could Stand for Sinners

A guilty man cannot pay another’s debt.

“No man can ransom another.” — Psalm 49:7
“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1
“Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous.” — 1 Peter 3:18

The sentence fell on Him. The court is satisfied.

The Resurrection: Heaven’s Legal Confirmation

If Christ remained in the grave, payment would be unverified.

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17
“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” — Romans 4:25

The empty tomb announces: Paid in full. Case closed.

Repentance: Turning Toward the Only Covering

Repentance is commanded.

“Repent therefore, and turn back.” — Acts 3:19

But repentance does not erase guilt — it abandons self-defence and turns the sinner toward the only one who can cover their sin.

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” — Hebrews 9:22

Even sincere remorse cannot satisfy the law; Christ must bear the penalty.

Covered in Christ: Union, Not Improvement

Salvation is not moral improvement but union with Christ.

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” — Galatians 3:27
“He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” — Isaiah 61:10
“Not having a righteousness of my own.” — Philippians 3:9

Outside Christ — condemnation remains.
Inside Christ — judgment is finished.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

Romans 10: Receiving the Verdict

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Repentance turns from self. Faith places the sinner in Christ.
The Advocate lives.

“Christ Jesus… was raised—who indeed is interceding for us.” — Romans 8:34

The Final Word

We were born guilty before the court.
Christ entered the court holy.
The sentence fell on Him.
The verdict rose with Him.
Repentance brings us under His covering.
Faith keeps us there.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” — Psalm 32:1
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” — Revelation 7:14

Justice is satisfied.
The Judge is pleased.
The Saviour lives.

Signing off,

Tyrone

THE LIFE - Part 3

” I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” — Part Three: The Life

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
— John 14:6 (ESV)

We have walked the Way — Christ as the path to the Father.
We have stood in the Truth — Christ as reality itself, not opinion or preference.
Now we come to the final and most confronting claim of all:

Jesus is the Life.

Not a life.
Not a better version of your current one.
Not moral improvement, religious energy, or spiritual enthusiasm.

Life itself.

Life Is Not Self-Generated

Scripture is uncomfortably clear:
Outside of Christ, humanity is not merely struggling — it is dead.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…”
— Ephesians 2:1

Dead people do not rehabilitate themselves.
They do not reason their way into vitality.
They must be made alive.

This is why Jesus does not say, “I will show you how to live.”
He says, “I am the life.”

Life is not something He gives apart from Himself.
He gives Himself — and life comes with Him.

Life Begins at Regeneration, Not Resolution

Many confuse life in Christ with decision-making:

• Turning over a new leaf
• Becoming more disciplined
• Trying harder to be good

But biblical life begins with regeneration, not resolve.

“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3

This life is received, not achieved.
It is a work of the Spirit, not the strength of the will.

You don’t add Christ to your life — you receive a new one in Him.

Life Is Union, Not Independence

Modern spirituality celebrates autonomy.
Jesus offers something far more radical: union.

“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5

Life flows only through connection to Christ.
Not proximity.
Not admiration.
Not imitation.

Abiding, not borrowing.
Union, not usage.

When we detach life from Christ, even our good works begin to decay into pride, performance, or burnout.

Life Is Eternal — Starting Now

Eternal life is not merely future-oriented.
It begins the moment Christ gives life to the dead heart.

“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”
— John 5:24

This life reshapes:

• Desires
• Direction
• Allegiance
• Hope

Not perfectly.
Not instantly.
But truly.

The Final Claim That Divides Everything

Jesus does not leave room for spiritual neutrality.

If He is not the Life, then death still reigns.
If He is the Life, then every other source is insufficient.

There is no life in religion without Christ.
No life in morality without Christ.
No life in truth without Christ.

The Way leads to the Father.
The Truth reveals reality.
But only the Life raises the dead.

Closing Reflection

Christianity is not about living better —
It is about being made alive.

And that life has a name.

Jesus.

Signing off,
Tyrone

THE TRUTH - PART 2

“I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” — Part Two: The Truth

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
— John 14:6 (ESV)

Yesterday, we looked at the Way — Christ as the path to the Father. Today, we slow down and consider the Truth, and in doing so, we must be honest about how different the world’s understanding of truth is from what Jesus declares.

Jesus does not say, “I speak truth.”
He says, “I am the truth.”

That one statement confronts every competing version of truth we live with daily.

The World’s View of Truth

We live in an era where truth has shifted from being objective to being personal. It is no longer something to be submitted to, but something to be claimed. The language of the day is filled with phrases like “my truth,” “follow your heart,” “speak your truth,” and “I am enough.”

These ideas are widely celebrated, not because they have been tested against reality, but because they affirm the self. Affirmation has become the highest good, while correction is viewed as harmful and conviction as unloving.

Yet Scripture offers a far more sober assessment of the human condition.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
— Jeremiah 17:9

If the heart is unreliable, then truth cannot safely originate from within it.

When Affirmation Replaces Examination

The danger of our current moment is not a lack of confidence but the loss of examination. Anything that challenges identity is resisted. Anything that causes discomfort is dismissed. Truth is welcomed only if it agrees.

Jesus does not affirm people in their brokenness — He meets them there and calls them out of it. He confronts before He comforts, exposes before He heals, and names sin not to shame, but to save.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
— Proverbs 27:6

Truth that never wounds is rarely truth that redeems.

Truth Is Revealed, Not Invented

The world insists truth is discovered by looking inward. Jesus declares truth is revealed by looking to Him. Truth is not constructed by culture, shaped by consensus, or adjusted by time. It is fixed because it is grounded in Christ.

Self-affirmation says, “You are complete as you are.”
Christ says, “Follow Me — and be transformed.”

One leaves the old self untouched.
The other produces renewal and holiness.

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
— John 17:17

Truth That Frees, Not Flatters

There is a kind of truth that soothes the conscience without changing the heart — and there is Truth that confronts, corrects, and ultimately frees.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:32

Freedom does not come from affirming who we think we are.
Freedom comes from submitting to who Christ is.

Christ, the Measure of All Truth

Jesus does not submit to culture, trends, or the affirmations of the age. Culture must submit to Him. If a belief contradicts Christ, it may feel sincere — but it is not true. If a conviction avoids Christ, it may sound loving — but it lacks power.

Truth is not whatever affirms us.
Truth is whatever aligns us with Christ.

He is the Truth — unchanging, uncompromising, and merciful.

May we resist truth that merely flatters and surrender ourselves to truth that transforms.

Grace and peace,

Signing off

 

Tyrone

I AM THE WAY - PART 1

 

Before we dive into today’s reflection, pause and consider the weight of these words from Jesus:

 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

 

This is not a gentle suggestion. It is a bold, uncompromising declaration. It cuts through every human assumption about access to God, morality, or spiritual progress. In this statement, Jesus identifies Himself as the exclusive path to the Father, the embodiment of truth, and the source of eternal life.

 

I Am the Way – Part One

 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
(John 14:6)

When Jesus makes this statement, He is not offering comfort, opinion, or religious poetry. He is making a definitive declaration about access—access to God, to life, and to salvation itself.

At the heart of that declaration stands the phrase “I am the way.”

Jesus does not say, “I will show you the way,” nor “I will point you in the right direction.” He says “I am.” The way is not a system to learn, a philosophy to adopt, or a path to customise. The way is a person. Remove Christ from the way and you do not discover alternatives—you lose the way altogether.

This is why the claim is so confronting, and why it has always been resisted. From the beginning, the enemy has rarely needed to deny God outright. His preferred strategy has been distraction, dilution, and displacement. “Did God really say?” was not a denial—it was a subtle redirection. And that strategy remains effective.

A clear example of this can be seen in what surrounds Christmas today.

What was once a proclamation of Christ entering the world has gradually been crowded out by sentiment, mythology, and marketing. Christ is pushed to the margins while Father Christmas takes centre stage. Then even that becomes uncomfortable, and the language shifts again— “Happy Holidays,” vague goodwill, generic cheer. Nothing is openly hostile. Nothing appears aggressive. Christ is simply no longer central.

This is how the way is discredited—not through open opposition, but through quiet replacement.

The enemy does not object to Jesus being acknowledged as a historical figure, a moral example, or a seasonal reference. What must be resisted is the proclamation of Jesus as the way. Once Christ is reduced to tradition or nostalgia, the offence of His exclusivity disappears. No repentance is required. No surrender is demanded. No narrow gate needs to be entered.

Jesus Himself issues the warning:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matthew 7:13)

The wide road is not obviously wicked. It is a busy, festive, inclusive, and vibrant place full of activity. It allows belief without obedience, celebration without submission, and spirituality without Christ at the centre. It feels kind. It feels reasonable. It feels safe. But it leads away from life.

By contrast, the narrow way remains narrow because it requires what distraction avoids: repentance, humility, and surrender. You cannot drift into it accidentally while occupied with everything else. You must turn, enter, and follow.

Access to the Father is not gained through goodwill, generosity, family traditions, or seasonal joy. Those things may be pleasant, but they are not the way. Jesus leaves no ambiguity: no one comes to the Father except through Him.

To discredit the way is not always to attack Christ. Often it is simply to crowd Him out—until He is mentioned but no longer followed.

Yet the mercy remains this: the way has not moved. Christ has not changed. Amid all the noise, the invitation still stands. The narrow gate is still open. And the way is still a person.

The question is not whether Christ is acknowledged this season, but whether He is followed.

Signing off

Tyrone