Man by Nature Mortal
The word "mortal," as used in that ancient question by Eliphaz,
describes man's nature:
"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Job 4:17.
In the creation, life was conditional upon the creature's relation to
Christ the Creator, in whom all things consist:
"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that
was made. In Him was life." John 1:3,4.
He was, and is, as the psalmist says, "the fountain of life." Cut off
from vital connection with Him, there could be no continuance of life.
The Lord warned Adam that his life was conditional upon obedience. "In
the day that thou eatest thereof," He said of the forbidden tree, "thou
shalt surely die." Gen. 2:17. It was a declaration that man was not
immortal, but was dependent upon God for life.
When by unbelief and sin man rejected God, the sentence--death
eternal--must have been executed had not the plan of salvation
intervened. But as the stroke of divine justice was falling upon the
sinner, the Son of God interposed Himself and received the blow. "He was
bruised for our iniquities.
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