Question

From the New Testament, As Paul describes it in Romans 1–3, how is all humanity trapped in a hopeless predicament? How has God acted to rescue people from the power of sin and death?

PS: Sorry for placing this question in "Psychology" but that's the only Social Science.

Answer 1

In Romans 3, Paul has written at length proving to us that as sinners we deserve God's wrath and punishment. The punishment for our sin is death. But now the only hope that is offered to humanity is the route of forgiveness through the death of Christ. In order to receive this forgiveness, we have to confess that we are sinners, believe in Christ, and then we are made righteous. And this righteousness is by faith alone. Faith is believing what is unseen and through it knowing the very nature and character of God. Anyone can receive the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also this forgiveness is available freely to those who put their trust in Him.

It is primarily important that people understand that they are held in bondage because of the sin that they commit day in and day out. Sin is an offence that we commit againt God and results in a broken relationship with him. But through Jesus we are redeemed and our sin debt is paid fully. Romans talks about 'redemption' which means the delieverance from the penalty of sin in which God has paid our sin debt on the cross and made way so that we have freedom from this bondage of sin. Christ dying on the cross has made things right for us and has paved a way for us to have a relationship with God. So we all need God's gracious forgiveness on a daily basis to help us follow him for a right living. We are given a fresh start with God, and can now enter his presence and enjoy his blessing.