Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

We just went over the issues of our sin nature and if nothing ever interferes with this sin nature, death is the result. We went over those issues in our last study so it seems logical to look at God’s plan to combat the consequences of sin. We call it God’s salvation plan.

How long did it take for God to put this plan into action?

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Immediately after pronouncing the consequences of their sin, God put His plan in action. God covered their shame, covered their vulnerability, by a sacrifice to provide the skins. God did the provisions and God made the sacrifice. Man had no part in that, he only received what God provided.

Matthew 19:24-26 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Psalm 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Psalm 68:20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

So the first inkling of His salvations plan was noted in the very beginning.

Psalm 20:6 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. (NIV)

We have been speaking of our sin nature and now it is time to direct our attention to combating that sin nature so that it will no longer run and ruin our lives. The first rule of combat is to know you enemy and the battle field.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is a spiritual battle and the spirit abides in your heart once you have accepted Christ as the Lord of your life. Note closely in Psalm 20:6 that the victory is given to the Lord and He answers from His throne with the power of His right hand. Our claim to victory is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The only question remains is how we obtain this victory over our personal sin nature which manifests itself in our human bodies. How do we win this battle within ourselves?

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

First and foremost, love God with all you got.