Creator and moral rules, what is right and wrong

Creator, judge, savior

God is the Creator, Judge, and Savior. Creation can be inferred logically, and our conscience refers to judgment. In addition, the revelation of the Bible tells of the Savior

When it comes to the existence of God, there are three common ways to think about it. They are as follows:

In theism it is believed in the existence of God and that he has made everything.

In agnosticism, the existence of God is left open: God may or may not exist. Agnostics do not believe that this matter can be known.

The third option is atheism, which denies the existence of God and thinks that He is only a concept in people's thoughts and minds. Atheists have adopted this view and they are sure that it is not worth believing in anything supernatural. They also consider themselves scientific when they deny God.

But how is it? Can anything be known about God and has he revealed anything about himself? Although some people reject this possibility in advance, this article deals with three things that point to God: creation, conscience, and announcement. From them it can be concluded that God is the Creator but also the Judge and Savior.

CREATION TESTIFIES ABOUT THE CREATOR. First, it is good to look at the creation in which we live. Scientists admit two important things about it, which are:

- They admit that the universe must have a beginning. This is a logical conclusion, since celestial bodies cannot radiate light and heat forever. At some point, their usable energy must run out, and therefore this is a strong proof of the beginning. No celestial bodies, including the sun, can be eternal, they must have a beginning.

- Scientists also admit that life must have a beginning. This is also a logical conclusion, because life on Earth is tied to the sun. If the sun hasn't always existed, there couldn't have been life on Earth. Otherwise, the Earth would be a dark and cold place with temperatures close to absolute zero. The limited existence of the sun thus shows that life must have had a beginning.

If the universe and life have a beginning, how did they get started? There are only two options for this: they originated from themselves or God created them. Many atheist scientists favor the first option, but this view has numerous problems and is not supported by any practical observations. Among other things, the following aspects have been found to be problematic in the naturalistic conception of the beginning of the universe and life:

• It has not been discovered that anything can be born from nothing by itself, as assumed in the Big Bang theory. This is against all laws of physics and practical observations. If the universe appeared by itself out of nothing, why don't we observe the same for other things like cars, bicycles or rocks?

• The formation of galaxies has not been observed

• Theories of the origin of the solar system and the earth are based more on imagination than on real information. Among other things, the different composition of the sun and the planets disproves common theories about spontaneous generation.

• The birth of life by itself has not been proven. The experimental observation is that life only arises from life. Not a single exception to this rule has been found.

• There are no intermediate forms between large groups. This has been acknowledged by several leading paleontologists.

What about the evidence for creation? Even this cannot be proved afterwards. However, if the materialistic explanations for the origin of the universe and life itself are not true, then the only alternative is God's creation work. It is by far the most logical option. It makes more sense to believe that God created everything than that everything came into being by itself. In general, everything has a cause and that should also be applied to the universe and life in it. Why would that constitute an exception? These things cannot arise by themselves. So the Bible shows that by observing the creation we can perceive God's existence and greatness. If we don't notice this and claim otherwise, then we are in the grip of spiritual blindness:

- (Ps 19:1) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

- (Rom 1:19,20) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

What if someone doesn't believe in God's creation work? Then he has to explain how beautiful flowers, buzzing flies, fish, birds, bananas, elephants, seas, the sun and celestial bodies and everything else that exists have come from a space the size of a pinhead (this is how the Big Bang has been explained in numerous books). He has to explain how everything started by itself in such a small space, which is smaller than a matchbox. Or he has to explain how the hydrogen-helium gas that prevailed in the beginning could turn into a person who eats, moves, reproduces, talks, laughs, cries, falls in love or throws a spear. How can a gas experience such a change in shape, and has anything similar been observed now? If we believe in such theories and fairy tales, we are certainly not sane. Rather, they are a matter of turning to fables or false information that passes under the name of knowledge, about which Paul wrote and warned almost a couple of millennia ago:

- (2 Tim 4:3,4) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.

- (1 Tim 6:20,21) O Timothy, keep that which is committed to your trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Although it is obvious that God created everything, some scientists find this difficult to believe. The reason is surely that they are committed to a naturalistic worldview. However, it is not a matter of science, as they themselves might explain, but only of preconceptions, in which they have already excluded God and everything supernatural. It is not considered a realistic alternative to the beginning of everything, even if it were true (ie if creation is a fact that happened, then there is also a question of science).

This attitude comes across well in their books. They usually reluctantly admit that intelligent design is seen in animals, humans and plants. It is difficult for them to admit it and they have to struggle to hide the obvious truth that the structures of nature are not simple and point to the existence of a designer or Creator. Isn't this about them having to lie to themselves in order to reject God and the obvious facts? Here are some comments from well-known evolutionists that refer to this topic:

Darwin: Another premise to believe in God that relates to reason and not to feelings, seems more cogent. You see, it is extremely difficult or rather impossible to imagine that this enormous and wondrous universe, including humans, who can look far back into the past and far into the future, had come into existence by pure accident or without any intermediation. While wondering this, I feel as if I must look for a First Reason, which had an intelligent mind, somehow comparable to human mind, and thus I can be called a theist. (1)

Jerry Coyne: If there generally are verities about nature, the fact that plants and animals seem to be complexly and almost perfectly designed to live their lives must be considered as one of these verities. - - Where does this all lead up to? To a master mechanic of course. - - The more we learn about animals and plants the more we are wondering, how well their physical structure is fitted to their life style. What would be a more natural conclusion than to think all this compatibility is the result of intelligent design? Darwin, however, looked the other way from the obvious and suggested – and supported it with detailed evidence – two ideas, which made thoughts about intelligent design vanish forever. These ideas were evolution and natural selection. (2)

Francis Crick: Biologists must constantly keep in mind that, what they are seeing is not designed, but the result of evolution. (3)

Richard Dawkins: A leaf-eating giraffe, a flying albatross, a plunging tar swallow, a curving hawk, a leafy sea dragon invisible among seaweed, a cheetah accelerating to full speed after a turn, a gazelle leaping - the illusion of design is intuitively so strong that one must truly strive to think critically and to overcome the temptations of naive intuition. (4)

GOD IS ALSO THE JUDGE. Regarding the early stages of the universe and life, it was noted that scientists representing the naturalistic worldview do not have clear answers to these matters. They have theories, but these theories are contrary to experimental science (the creation of the universe from nothing, the creation of life by itself, etc.) and clumsy attempts to replace God as the creator. It is much more reasonable to stick to the view that God created everything. He is the Creator as the Bible shows:

- (Matt 19:4) And he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

- (Rom 1:25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

- (Eph 3:9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

- (Mark 13:19) For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, neither shall be.

What about God's other attributes? Is God more than the Creator? Opinions are divided here, as they are divided on the issue of creation. Many may think that God has indeed created the world, but after that does not work in any way. They have adopted a deistic view in which God is not believed to influence people's lives and other events.

The same view also appears in relation to whether God can judge us after this life. These people find judgment unlikely. They may believe in heaven or that everything ends at death, but doubt judgment and damnation. When they are in this belief, they have, in their own opinion, a valid reason not to turn to God.

However, there are good reasons why the idea of judgment after this life should be taken seriously. We highlight a few of the most important reasons. Three such things are:

• Secular judiciary as a model

• The global existence of morality, i.e. the concept of right and wrong

• A sense of justice suggests that wrongdoers are held accountable

The secular judiciary refers to the possibility of judgment. In general, all societies have a judicial system whose tasks include bringing murderers, criminals and other wrongdoers to account for their actions. Physical and sexual violence, theft, fraud and embezzlement are common criminal reasons for which a sentence can be passed. This has been a common practice in all societies throughout the centuries. If the judiciary works correctly – it hasn't always worked – it stays within these frameworks.

On the other hand, if there is a secular justice system whose duties include bringing murderers, criminals and other wrongdoers to account for their actions, why is it hard to believe in the idea that there is a judgment after this life as well? Judgment after death is no more strange than the fact that people answer for their wrongdoings in an earthly court. Both models follow the same principle, so that's the first good reason to take the idea of a posthumous day of reckoning seriously. God will then make people answer for their actions just as it happens now in the secular judiciary. Everyone has to account for how they have lived and treated others. Everyone reaps what he sows.

- (Hebr 9:27) And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:

- (Gal 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

- (Rom 14:10,12) But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nothing your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Concept of right and wrong. In the previous example, it was already pointed out how it is reasonable to believe in judgment after this life. If there is an earthly court, it is easy to understand the existence of a heavenly court in its light. In both cases, wrongdoers and lawbreakers are held accountable.

The perception of right and wrong also manifests itself in our own lives. We are moral beings and we make choices in everyday activities. We feel that many things are right and we should follow them, but often we can feel reluctance to do them. The principles of the Ten Commandments ”You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”, are not unknown to anyone, but everyone naturally knows what is the right behavior and how to treat your neighbor. This inner sense and understanding that prompts us to make the right choices is often called conscience. We cannot fail to know the difference between right and wrong behavior, even though we can harden ourselves.

Guilt and feeling guilty are also related to the topic. We can carry guilt for the wrong actions we have done, which shows that we have not fully hardened ourselves. However, sometimes years may pass before the guilt wakes up. A person who has hurt others, stolen, murdered or committed other wrongs may at first not think about the wrongs he has done, but later he may experience deep guilt and a desire to make amends for his wrongdoings. This issue is difficult to understand from a naturalistic starting point. If our origin were from matter alone, we would certainly not distinguish between different actions. Mere inanimate matter cannot produce morality and a sense of right and wrong. How could a stone, an earth substance or a gas affect the fact that someone starts to feel guilty about what he has done (A father who has neglected his children because of drinking and wants to make up for it), that someone starts to feel bitterness about what others have done (“He stole from me, lied about me, was offensive to me") or that someone makes a distinction between different actions? There must be a better explanation for these things than just matter.

The following example from Japan is related to the topic. It tells about a woman who had an abortion and is a typical example from this area. It is common for women who have had an abortion to experience a momentary relief after the abortion has taken place, but later they carry guilt, and blame and hate themselves for what they have done. Any person can have similar feelings if they know they have done something wrong:

When God created woman, He placed in her the instinct to protect the child. You can't break that "human user manual" without serious consequences. In Japan, I have heard many confessions from the mouths of women who have had an abortion. Even a pagan can feel deep remorse for killing his child. This guilt is not a by-product of Christianity, but a voice of conscience born to every woman. (5)

There are only two options for the origin of morality. According to the atheistic model, morality originates from the big bang, because man and everything else has arisen by itself from a space the size of a pinhead through the Big Bang. Another option is that morality, i.e. the perception of right and wrong, is a characteristic that God originally placed in man. Because God is good and perfect, he also put a moral sense in people. This is the theistic model and what the Bible teaches.

Furthermore, we were created in close relationship with God and in God's image as the book of Genesis shows. Human life has a purpose other than just eating, drinking, working and procreating. He is a being of eternity as the Bible shows:

- (Gen 1:27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

- (Ec 3:11) He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.

Paul continues on the same topic. He teaches that the works of the law—the sense of right and wrong—are written on the hearts of men. He connects this matter with the judgment day, so it should be taken seriously. Our understanding of right and wrong shows how it is logical to believe in a judgment day after death:

- (Rom 2:14-16) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves:

15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

When Paul in the previous verses referred to how people classify actions in their hearts, this agrees with the following observation. Loren Cunningham, who has visited every country in the world, tells how the concept of right and wrong is common among all nations - regardless of whether these people have had contact with other civilizations or the Bible. Humans naturally know the difference between right and wrong behavior, even though they can harden their hearts:

I have met people from every country in the world and noticed that the idea of love, responsibility, right and wrong, conscience and moral exists in every culture. Every language has a concept for right and wrong. This has been even before any contact with other civilizations or with the Bible. (6)

C. S. Lewis continues on the same topic. He reveals how man is a moral being and morality is a universal thing. People all over the world have almost the same idea of right and wrong. There are very few exceptions to that between different cultures. It can also be seen as proof that man was originally created in the image of God, although this image was distorted in the Fall. According to the Bible, man is a sinner by nature, even though he still has an understanding of right and wrong. The universality of morality is a reference to the existence of God and also to judgment after this life. It is difficult to explain the existence of morality from a materialistic point of view:

What is to be said about another modern objection - that the ethical standards of different cultures differ so much that there is no common tradition? I answer that this is a big lie. If a person bothers to go to a library and spend a few days there studying the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, he will soon discover the massive unanimity of practical reason. From the Babylonian Hymn to Samos, the Laws of Manu, the Book of the Dead, the Analects, the Stoics, the Platonists, the Australian Aborigines and the Redskins, he gathers into his mind the same triumphant Unanimous condemnations of oppression, murder, deceit and injustice, the same commands to be kind to the old, the young and the weak, to give alms and live impartially and honestly. He may be a little surprised (as I was) to find that the commandment of love occurs more often than the requirement of justice... Far from facing chaos; We will find exactly what we can expect if good really is something objective and reason is the instrument by which it can be understood. This means that there is a real consensus, although there are considerable differences in local accent, and perhaps no moral code contains everything. (7)

Sense of justice. One reason to believe in judgment is our sense of justice. Many crimes and wrongdoings may go unsolved on earth, but the final verdict suggests that wrongdoers who treat others inhumanely cannot escape responsibility. They won’t get away with it. In modern times, many criticize judgment and damnation, but if wrongdoers are not held accountable, God would accept wrongdoing. He would accept the actions of dictators and other wrongdoers and such a God cannot be good. Many would like to believe that God is a nice guy who sits on the edge of a cloud and closes his eyes to everything, but such an idea is not true in the light of the Bible.

Thus, the fact that Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin and other abusers and dictators are once in judgment points to God's justice and goodness. He will hold these people accountable for their actions. However, "ordinary people" also have to answer for their words and actions. According to the Bible, the quality of judgment is determined by deeds. That's why there must be different degrees of judgment.

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS THE JUDGE? So God is the Creator and Judge who judges the world. The latter point is proved by the fact that we have the ability to understand right and wrong, so God must also have the same ability. In addition, our conscience tells us that there is someone to whom we are responsible for our lives. It is difficult to explain the accusations of conscience and guilt from a materialistic point of view. Such things are not created through the Big Bang.

So what does it mean that God is the judge? In this matter, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Firstly, it should be realized that we are not the judge of others. We can be thankful for that. Jesus said the following about this: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matt 7:1,2).

However, warning one's neighbor is different from condemnation. Sometimes people confuse these two things, even though we should be able to separate them. That is, us warning our neighbor of the coming judgment is real love. It is the same if someone were to warn you of thin ice. If someone does not listen to the warning and heed it, it is the fault of the person himself and it can have serious consequences.

• Secondly, If God exists and he is the Creator and Judge, surely he has the power to say what is right and wrong. Morality is not defined by Saddam Hussein, Hitler, a playboy or a person who commits burglaries, but by almighty God. This should be self-evident if we assume the existence of God.

What about modern times and morality? In modern times, many people may have a favorable attitude to e.g. extramarital sex or homosexual relationships, but the clear teaching of the New Testament is that they are wrong and lead to separation from God. Some may dispute this, but how do they know better than Jesus and the apostles he appointed, what is beyond the border? We should take seriously the warnings that came through them, such as e.g. the following verses:

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

So God hates injustice and will judge it. Examples of God's anger towards sin are numerous. Historical examples are e.g. Noah's generation, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Canaanites and the states of Israel and Judah. They were not destroyed by chance, but because the evil in these societies had reached great proportions.

What about the New Testament side? The most important example of God's wrath is eternal hell, where every unrepentant person will go. If this thing were not true, why, for example, did Jesus talk about it a lot?

- (Matt 8:11,12) And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

- (Phil 3:18,19) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

- (2 Thess 1:9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

PEOPLE ARE FAR FROM PERFECTION.

- (John 7:19) … and yet none of you keeps the law…

- (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

- (1 John 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

In the previous paragraphs, it has been stated how each person has an idea of right and wrong behavior. This notion is common in all cultures, regardless of whether they have had contact with the Christian faith. It is manifested in the law of karma, religions and secular legislation. Man is a moral being and morality is a universal thing.

However, the worst thing is that we as humans know the difference between right and wrong, either by nature or through the teaching of the Bible, but we often do not follow the right path. We could do good, be selfless, help others and shun evil, but often we do the opposite. Mere knowledge of right and wrong therefore never guarantees that we act correctly. Human selfishness prevents it. C. S. Lewis has written about moral law and how people know what they should do but don't.

However, the most remarkable thing about it is this: Whenever you meet someone who claims that they do not believe in the existence of any universal right and wrong, you will find a moment later that they are retracting their speech by their behavior. He may break the promise he made to you, but if you break your promise to him, he will immediately complain that it was not fair.

... These are the two things I wanted to make clear. Firstly, the fact that people all over the world have the strange impression that they should behave in a certain way and cannot really get rid of it. And secondly, the fact that people do not behave in that way. They know the natural moral law, and they violate it. These two truths are a foundation without which we will not be able to clearly comprehend ourselves or the world in which we live. (8)

Man's imperfection is also revealed through several verses of the Bible. They show that we have sinned and fall short of God's glory. We are not capable in ourselves of the perfection and sinlessness that God expects:

- (Matt 12:36) But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

- (Matt 5:21,22) You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

- (Matt 5:27,28) You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

28 But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- (1 John 3:15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

- (James 4:17) Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

- (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Very clearly the imperfection of man comes out through the double commandment of love. In it we are urged to love God and our neighbor with all our heart and strength. If someone has not obeyed this command every single moment of his life, then he has committed the greatest of sins. He has transgressed against the greatest commandment:

- (Matt 22:36-39) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

GOD IS ALSO THE SAVIOR. In the previous paragraphs, two important attributes of God have been highlighted:

• God is the creator

• God is the judge

It was also stated that every person has an idea of right and wrong and that they do not always follow what they know to be right. Because of that, they are under God's judgment and wrath because He hates sin.

However, this is not all. Although man is flawed, there is also another side to the matter. God is also love who wants the best for us. He wants people as His children and wants to save them. He has good will towards people:

- (Luke 2:13,14) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

- (1 Tim 2:3,4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

How has God's love manifested itself? Here we come to the heart of the Bible and the entire New Testament. It has manifested itself in how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world under the law and allowed us a possibility to come to God. God himself was in Christ (2 Cor 5:19) and reconciled the world to Himself so that we could have our sins forgiven and fellowship with Him. For when man was unable and will not be able to fulfill the law, i.e. God's will, Jesus came here and fulfilled the requirements of the law. Now God and his law no longer condemns a person who turns to Jesus Christ and surrenders his life to Him. So God is not only creator and judge. He is also our Savior through Jesus Christ, if we turn to him (1 Tim 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;).

The following verses speak well of God's love and Jesus' work for us. In them, we should pay attention to such saying as for us. These verses show us that the foundation of salvation lies within what someone else (Jesus Christ) has done for us, and not within ourselves. Everything is based on God's love. God is a good God who wants people to be saved and to go to heaven:

- (1 John 4:9,10) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (Rom 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

- (Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree

- (1 Thess 5:10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

- (1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

The following quote refers to the same topic. When the gap between God and man was too great, Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world and crossed the gap for us. We can believe and trust in what he has done, that is, rely on this truth (Acts 16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.).

"Wait, I’ll give you one example: the average man can jump, for example, two meters. A person who has practiced sports and is fit may jump perhaps five meters. And if he is an Olympic winner, he can jump almost nine meters, but jumping any longer will be quite impossible in our generation. Let’s suppose then that we are all standing at the edge of a canyon with 200 meters to the other side. None of us has the ability to jump over that abyss, right? Now let's look at this same thing in the form of a parable. That abyss is the abyss of sin and God is on the other side. He looked upon us just as we are – poor little grasshoppers -- and began to pity us. He knew that it was quite impossible for us to get to Him by our own powers; for this reason, He sent for us His own Son, Jesus, who is a bridge between God and man. Jesus is the mediator between God and man. We can go with Him safely, because according to His own words He is 'the way and the truth and the life’! I know that there are many who will reject this divine solution as too easy. They’ll rather try to do something by their own power to save themselves, but no effort of man can take him to God, our destiny is to fall into that gaping abyss!” (9)

On the other hand, when Jesus has filled the law, i.e. the gap between God and man, and grace has come through Him, it is clear that man must receive this grace in order to be saved. He must receive Jesus into his life. Because if a person turns his back on Jesus and mercy, he rejects his only chance to be saved. So don't turn your back on Jesus and God's call. Arthur W. Pink, the late Puritan preacher, has aptly explained this matter, that is, how God offers grace through His Son. This offer should not be considered cheap.

If God offers you a Savior, who can save you from the punishment you deserve, and you do not accept Him, then surely it is justified that you are left without a savior. Or is God obliged to arrange another savior for you, since you don’t like this particular Savior? He has given an invaluable and honorable person, His only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for sins and so, completed salvation; and this Savior is being offered to you right now. If you refuse him, is God then unjust if He doesn’t save you. Is He obliged to save you in the way that you have chosen, only because you don’t like His way of saving? Or do you blame Christ for unfairness, when He doesn’t come to save you, while at the same time you don’t want Him, although He offers Himself to you and appeals to you that you would accept Him as your Savior.

Your part

- (Luke 15:17-20) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If God has loved man and fulfilled the requirements of the law for everyone, how can man become part of this love and eternal life?

There is an easy answer to the former: a person must turn to God and repent of his sins like the prodigal son in the previous parable. For God will never forgive an unrepentant person who does not want to give up his sins. It is impossible, because otherwise He would be giving His consent to wrongdoing. It wars against the goodness of God.

Instead, God forgives every repentant person who surrenders their life to Him and puts their trust in Jesus Christ, His Son. In the language of the Bible, it is about repentance, as e.g. John the Baptist, Jesus himself and the disciples declared (Matt 3:1,2 / Matt 4:17 / Acts 17:30) and faith in Jesus Christ. In the first case, we are actually confessing that we have been separated from God, and that we now want to turn to Him. It can involve confession of sins as the previous verses showed. Faith in Jesus Christ restores our relationship with God, because Jesus has already done everything for us.

So when you have given yourself to God, confessed your separation from Him, the sins weighing on your mind and faith in Jesus, God will forgive you all your sins. It is not based on your actions and your own goodness, but on Jesus, who has already done everything for us (see the verses before!). So put your trust in Him. Believe in what He has done for you and turn to Him. In Jesus is eternal life:

- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

- (John 6:67-69) Then said Jesus to the twelve, Will you also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God.

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

So, if you have turned to Jesus Christ and received Him in your life, you are a child of God and have eternal life. You have the eternal life regardless of what you feel right now. Do not base your assurance of salvation on your ever-changing emotions, but rest in the word of the Bible and on Jesus Christ, just like the anchor of a ship is never thrown inside the ship but always outside.

- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name

- (1 John 5:11-13) And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The prayer of salvation: Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn away from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven through Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.

References:

1. Charles Darwin: Elämäni, p. 55,56

2. Jerry A. Coyne: Why Evolution is True

3. Francis Crick: What Mad Pursuit: a Personal View of Scientific Discovery (1988), p. 138

4. Richard Dawkins: Maailman hienoin esitys, evolution todisteet (The Greatest Show on Earth, The Evidence for Evolution), p. 342

5. Mailis Janatuinen: Ihmisen käyttöohjeet, p. 120

6. Loren Cunningham / Janice Rogers: Kirja joka muuttaa kansat (The Book that Transforms Nations), p. 133

7. C.S. Lewis: Entisen ateistin kristillisiä esseitä (Christian Reflections), p. 100, 101

8. C.S. Lewis: Tätä on kristinusko (Mere Christianity), p. 16,18

9. Jakov Damkani: Siionin poika, p. 107,108