The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - RELIEF FROM SIN AND DEATH

 Jesus knew that his coming to earth as a man was a direct part of Jehovah's arrangement for releasing mankind from sin and death. So he said: "The Son of man came . . . to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many." (Matthew 20:28) Exactly what does that mean? Well, a ransom is the price paid to obtain deliverance from captivity. In this case, Jesus' perfect human life offered in sacrifice was the price paid for to obtain mankind's release from bondage and from sin and death. (1 Peter 1:18, 19) Why was such a release needed? 

This was because Adam, the forefather of us all, had sinned against God. Thus, Adam became imperfect  and lost the right to life. As a willful violator of God's law, he came under its penalty of death. God has also established laws of heredity, which assure that we all receive physical characteristics and other traits from our parents. According these laws, Adam could have passed on tohis offspring only what he himself had; so we received from him an inheritance of sin and death.  (Romans 5:12) All mankind therefore has been dying in payment of the penalty of sin. How could this death penalty be lifted and the requirements of justice still be met? 

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