morality and the existence of God, right and wrong

Morality and the existence of God

What is the origin of morality and what does it mean? It is difficult to justify the origin of morality from an atheistic point of view

One of the characteristics of modern times in Western countries is that God is not taken into account. People don't believe in his existence, or they shrink Him so small that they don't have to pay attention to Him. The representatives of this latter point of view consider God to be a silly old man who understands absolutely nothing, is incapable of anything and has no meaning in the modern world. These people have a strangely impersonal god that doesn't react to anything. He doesn't love, or maybe He can love, but He doesn't react to other things. He doesn't care if people do bad or good, everything is indifferent to Him. That's why they don't believe in judgment after this life either. They think that God – if He exists at all – is indifferent to that too.

But what to think about this matter? The first point is to find out the existence of God and whether He is the creator of everything. If He exists and is the creator of everything, He is probably more than that. He can be e.g. the judge of all, as the Bible shows in many places. But before we go in that direction, let's first look at the existence of the universe and life. Did they originate from themselves or by God? Which option makes more sense?

Has everything born by itself or by God? First, the question of how the universe and life in it got its start. Currently, many people believe in atheistic birth theories, but in reality these theories are at a dead end and there is no evidence for them. Instead, there is enough evidence for God's existence and power right before our eyes. It is spiritual blindness if a person does not notice them. He should think about e.g. the following things:

• Where did galaxies, stars, planets and moons come from? There are huge galaxies, millions of stars and other celestial bodies in the universe. They have not always existed, because otherwise the stars and other celestial bodies would have already gone out.

Where did they come from? Currently, atheist scientists explain that everything came into being by itself out of nothing, when "nothing" exploded (the so-called Big Bang). However, this is an impossible thought. If there is nothing, nothing can be taken from it. Millions of stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies could not have appeared by themselves out of nothing. It is a mathematical impossibility. It could be compared to someone showing a box of matches and then claiming that it can become galaxies, millions of stars, planets, moons and living beings. Would you believe such a claim and this person? Wouldn't you consider the person making the claim insane? Then why would you believe atheist scientists who present similar ideas?

• Why is there diverse life on Earth? The earth has trees, flowers, birds, people, butterflies, bears, antelopes, giraffes, fish and many forms of life. Where did it all come from? Don't say that everything happened by itself because there is not a single piece of evidence for it. The clear rule is that only life begets life, and no exceptions to this rule have been found. This suggests that the first animals and plants originated through an outside influence - something that clearly points to a great creator god. In addition, He has made everything ready, not half-finished. No half-finished structures can be found in fossils or in modern nature, and half-finished organisms could not even survive. If you believe in the theory of evolution, you should tell us where we can go to wonder, for example, about the gradual development of the senses or how the ecosystem worked when senses did not yet exist. Note that even several atheist scientists admit that the evidence does not support gradual evolution. Here are some comments from them:

Stephen Jay Gould: I do not want in any way to belittle the potential competence of the gradual evolution view. I want only to remark that it has never 'been observed' in rocks. (...) (1)

Niles Eldredge: We palaeontologists have said that the history of life supports [a story about changes that promote gradual adapting], even though we know all the while that it does not. (2)

Austin H. Clark: Since its first appearance, the animal kingdom has been essentially the same as we know it today...Thus so far as concerns the major groups of animals, those who believe in creation are on the better side of the dispute. There is not the slightest proof that any of the large groups [of the animal kingdom] originated from another. (3)

The conclusion is that atheistic theories are at a dead end when it is a question of explaining the existence of celestial bodies and diverse life in the universe. The evidence clearly points in the direction that an almighty and powerful God has made everything. He is a Creator who exists and every person should think about what that means for our own lives.

We will also include verses related to the topic. They tell how God's Invisible nature, his Eternal power and Godhead can be seen in his actions, especially in creation. Only the spiritual blindness of man can prevent this from being understood:

- (Rom 1:20-23) 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,

23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.

Morality and the existence of God - what can be concluded from morality? Above we discussed how God is not taken into account or His existence is not believed. People do not take into account that the evidence for creation clearly exists. They show that God must be an almighty and powerful God who has made everything. Nothing can be born out of nothing by itself, and life cannot exist without the Creator.

And if God exists, as can be inferred from the existence of creation, what else is there to know? One such thing is morality. We humans are moral beings, but where does human morality come from? Is it from God or where did it come from? Let's explore this topic a bit.

People believe in moral values. The first question that comes up when talking about morality is whether there are all binding, objective and final values. Because one of the trends of today is relativism, where it is thought that each individual can choose the values, morality and truth that suit him. This view does not have all binding, objective and final values. They are missing.

But but. Do people act like this and do they think every moment according to the principles of relativism? While many may initially argue that everyone should define their own morality, they will very soon disprove that if they are interviewed a bit. If you ask them, for example, whether they accept torture, sexual abuse of children, theft from themselves or abuse of their close relatives, they usually answer in the negative. It shows that they practically believe in the existence of universal and objective values. They may not have thought about it more deeply, but they consider some actions to be clearly wrong. This belief in moral values that bind all people strongly suggests that there is a moral reality that is independent of humans and comes from outside. Timothy Keller tells more about the same topic:

The popular notion that we should all determine our own morality is based on the belief that the spiritual world is not at all like the rest of the world. Does anyone seriously believe that? For many years, I always stayed in the hall for an hour after the morning and evening services to answer questions. Hundreds of people stayed to exchange ideas. One of the most common statements I heard was: "Each person must determine for himself what is right and what is wrong." I always responded to those making the argument by asking, "Is there anyone in the world right now who is doing what you think he should stop doing, despite what he personally believes in the correctness of his behavior?" The proponents of the argument invariably answer: "Of course." Then I ask: "Doesn't that mean that you still believe that there is some kind of moral reality that is not determined by us and that must be followed regardless of what a person feels and thinks?" Almost always the answer is silence - either pensive or irritated. (4)

What can be concluded from the above? The example shows that although some people may explain that there are no universally binding moral values, they do not actually act and think this way. On the contrary, they assume that some actions are clearly wrong and no one should do them. This is a universal observation. Thus, 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. (5)

The following verses continue the same theme. Paul was referring to how people naturally have an understanding of right and wrong behavior. Besides that, they have a conscience. Paul connected these things to the coming judgment day:

- (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.

Where does morality, the concept of right and wrong, come from? There are two options for this:

• The first option is that the concept of right and wrong is the result of evolution. However, as stated, the theory of evolution is a false theory. The origin of life has not been proven and no gradual evolution has been observed.

On the other hand, if the theory of evolution were true, it would be difficult to justify the existence of morality and reason. How can anyone trust their reason or moral judgments if we evolved from fish, ape-like creatures, or even the big bang? Although man himself may consider himself rational and moral, it is questionable to trust his judgment, if his brain is derived from the Big Bang or lower animals.

In addition, the question arises as to where the guilt comes from if we stick to atheist theories of origin. How could a stone, soil or some gas affect someone to start feeling guilty about what they have done? Why does a father who has neglected his children because of drinking and wants to make amends it feel guilty? In the same way, one can ask why someone starts feeling bitter about what others have done; eg "He stole from me, lied about me, was abusive towards me?” There must be a better explanation for these things than just matter.

• Another and more logical alternative is that the almighty God and Creator has originally put the ability to think and the concept of right and wrong in the heart of man already at creation. Atheism does not explain these things, but the existence of God is a good reason for the existence of reason and morality. We have reason and morality because God is rational and moral, and because he made the first humans in God's image; although in the Fall this image was distorted.

On the other hand, when God made man in his own image, it shows man's difference from the rest of creation. The special characteristics of a person are language, great intelligence, emotions, religiosity (only people pray) and the subject of this writing, i.e. the sense of right and wrong. Animals do not have the same characteristics because they were not created in God's image:

- (Gen 1:26,27) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Is God impersonal? Earlier it was stated how some consider God to be like an old, stupid man who doesn't understand anything at all, is not capable of anything and has no meaning in today's world. These people have a strangely impersonal god that doesn't react to anything. He doesn't love, or maybe he can love, but he doesn't react to other things. He doesn't care if people do bad or good, everything is indifferent to him. That's why they don't believe in judgment after this life either. They think that God – if he exists at all – is indifferent to that too.

However, the question is, why should God be indifferent, especially when it comes to right and wrong? If people understand the difference between right and wrong and react to it, wouldn't the Creator of everything do the same? It would be strange if God had given people a sense of right and wrong, but didn't care about anything himself. In fact, such a god who does not react to any evil is an evil god himself. Only a god who hates and opposes evil can be good.

In this matter, it is worth paying attention to the following verses. They speak directly of God's wrath. Against what? Against the evil and injustice that exists in the world. God is not indifferent to this matter, but He is a holy God whose essence includes hatred of evil. Otherwise, He wouldn't be a good God:

- (Jer 21:12, 22:3-5) O house of David, thus said the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

3 Thus said the LORD; Execute you judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

4 For if you do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.

5 But if you will not hear these words, I swear by myself, said the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

- (Rom 1:18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

- (Rom 2:4-8) Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

5 But after your hardness and impenitent heart treasure up to yourself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:

8 But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

- (Rom 3:5,6) But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? I speak as a man

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

- (Ef 5:6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

- (Col 3:5,6) Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience:

From this it is good to move on to the idea of judgment, which some people may be afraid of. However, the same principle has always been followed in all societies. All societies have a judicial system whose duties 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. Either way, the model follows the same principle, so there's 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.

- (Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

- (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 2:6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

- (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.

On the other hand, when some argue that God is not fair when he judges every person after this life, those who make the argument actually have an evil God. For if God said, "It does not matter what you do," he would approve of all the wrongs of dictators and other wrongdoers. He would be like a judge who does not enforce the law but accepts all evil: murders, crimes, injustices, lies, cheating on the spouse, etc. Such a God would not be good. Aril Edvardsen has explained this topic while discussing it with a person:

I let him speak and I didn’t say a word back. “Well, maybe I believe that there is a Creator”, he continued. “But I cannot believe in a loving and righteous God, when the Bible says that there is hell and judgement day.”

Do you think so? I said. ”I think the complete opposite. I could not believe in a loving and righteous God if that, what you call hell, wouldn’t exist – a final settlement day for people, when everyone must account for what they have done in this life, the good and the bad.

He looked at me in confusion and said: “You cannot be serious!”

“Yes I am!” I replied. ”I mean exactly what I said. If tyrants, dictators, terrorists and bad people, who have tortured and destroyed others in this life, wouldn’t have to pay and settle for their actions sooner or later, then I couldn’t believe that a righteous God exists.” The doctor looked at me in astonishment and I continued: “Think about Adolf Hitler and Adolf Eichmann, who tortured and killed millions of people in concentration camps – all the while living a luxurious life style during the Second World War. Would they get away with it just like that – getting shot in the head and getting hanged? The whole thing would be over in a matter of seconds and then nothing, while many ordinary people in this town die with much worse suffering than those two – like cancer and other diseases.

Would Hitler and Eichmann get off more easily from the world than others – and after death there wouldn’t be anything? Not any kind of reckoning? …No, then I couldn’t believe in a loving and righteous God.”

“Please continue”, he said and I did:

“The Bible says that God is both loving and righteous, and that is why judgement day will come to us all, and then all of us must account for ourselves. Then wrongful people get their doom and those, who unjustly suffered, get their amends.

The whole human life, death and eternity would be completely without a purpose if people wouldn’t believe in judgement day, the day of justice.”

The district doctor sat silent and listened. All of a sudden he looked at me as if he had come up with something entirely new.

“You are absolutely right!” He exclaimed. “I haven’t thought of this before. That is logical. You are totally right, sure enough. Life here on Earth is often tough and unfair for many. People’s lives will get destroyed and the cruelty of other people causes harm as much in marriages, families, work places, refugee camps as in battle fields.

If you wouldn’t have to pay for what you’ve done in this life – for all that humans have done, good and bad – then there really couldn’t be a loving and righteous God. I must think about this!” he mumbled. (6)

God defines right and wrong. It was stated above how each person has an idea of right and wrong behavior. Everyone naturally knows that one should not hate, kill or do other injustice to one's neighbor. There is no such person who does not understand this.

So why don't people follow this? There is a simple explanation for that. God didn't make robots who just follow a predetermined course of action. He gave us the freedom to choose whether we want to do the right thing or not. In the language of the Bible, a person can harden himself, that is, consciously choose wrongly. Secondly, spiritual blindness can be the reason that a person supports the wrong things.

- (Hebr 3:12,13) Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

- (2 Cor 4:3,4) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.

- (1 John 2:11) But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes.

How does spiritual blindness and hardness manifest itself today? It manifests itself in moving further and further away from the norms and teachings that were brought forth by Jesus, the son of God, and the apostles he appointed. It means that people no longer put in the category of wrong things those things that have always been wrong and sin in the Christian faith. A few such reclassified issues include extramarital sex, gay sex, or abortion. James W. Sire has explained the matter, i.e. how the moral classification has changed:

However, even in our relativity, we cannot get rid of the feeling that some things are "right" or "natural" and others are not. For years, the majority of society considered homosexuality immoral. Today, many people dispute this. But they deny it not on the grounds that there are no moral categories, but because the area of homosexuality should have belonged to the other side of the boundary that separates the moral from the immoral. Homosexuals generally do not tolerate incest! So the fact that people's moral judgments are different does not change the fact that we constantly make moral judgments and live according to them or against them. Everyone lives in a moral universe and in the end everyone thinking about this in the slightest knows this and would not want to change it. (7)

If we then consider the three previous issues, i.e. sexual relations outside of marriage, homosexual relations or abortion, in which traditional Christian teaching is today rejected in Western countries, it is worth considering the following points (There are, of course, other differences in Christian and non-Christian morality in modern times. For example, in many countries the worship of idols is common, but we will focus here only on these three issues, which are especially related to Western countries, where the Christian faith has had an important position, but it has lost its importance more and more.).

Why is sex outside of marriage wrong? First of all, sex outside of marriage, which is accepted nowadays. For example, a young man and woman can have sex without a marital commitment and it is considered appropriate. Or someone in a marriage can engage in extramarital sex.

Instead, the teaching of the Bible is that sex is only right as long as it takes place in a marriage between a man and a wife. Other sexual relations are wrong and fornication.

The fact that the parents are married is also the best starting point for the children to be born. Then the child born through sex will immediately have a home and both parents ready. It is best for children's development. It is not good to be born into an unstable family situation.

- (1 Cor 7:1-5) Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband.

4 The wife has not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

- (Hebr 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Today, homosexual relationships are another accepted thing. They are defended in the name of love and because homosexuality is thought to be an innate quality. Thousands may march for this cause because they do not believe that this cause is sinful and wrong before God. They reject e.g. the following related 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 what is love? When I believe in the previous verses, I see it as the greatest love that people are warned against wrong choices and hardening themselves. Today's value liberals instead see encouraging people to live according to their inclinations, in this case homosexual inclinations, as love. However, they do not take into account, for example, sexually transmitted diseases, most of which have been found in male homosexuals. This was the case, for example, in the 1980s, when AIDS began to spread in the USA, and now it has been reported in the news that the first cases of monkeypox have occurred mostly among these people. In addition, other diseases, such as corona, spread through those who have the most sexual relationships, be it heterosexual or homosexual relationships.

What about the innateness of homosexuality, which is often invoked in the argument? This has been repeatedly disproved in twin studies. Identical twins have the same genes and growth environment in the womb, but only one of them may have homosexual tendencies. Similarly, Helsingin Sanomat reported on August 29, 2019: "Research conducted on almost half a million people: Genes do not predict whether the same sex will turn you on." In addition, many homosexuals themselves deny the innateness of their inclination. In one survey, 85% of them thought that circumstances played a decisive role in the birth of their tendencies. I personally understand that the background of homosexuality is usually a natural need to gain approval from the same sex, because many people lack it. This can turn into sexual desire. Some have also experienced sexual abuse, which can set them on the wrong track.

On the other hand, if the innateness principle is invoked, it could be used to justify all other behavior as equally acceptable: for example, a person prone to hatred could justify killing others by saying that he was born aggressive and cannot control his behavior. Likewise, a rapist could justify his behavior with the same argument. However, many hardly agree with these views. Each of us has a moral responsibility, although each may have different wrong inclinations. We are above all moral beings, and we can influence our behavior to some extent, although we may often fall because of our weakness. Thus, an ordinary heterosexual can choose whether he has sex only with his spouse or also outside of marriage. A person with homosexual tendencies can choose whether or not to have sex. Likewise, a person with pedophilic tendencies may for moral reasons abstain from sex, knowing that it is wrong and harmful to children. Moral reasons ultimately influence what choices each individual makes.

In addition, it is worth noting that if a person turns to God, he usually remains tempted to do the same things as before. It is rare for someone to be completely freed from the things that previously bound them.

Abortion is the third accepted thing in modern times. There have been marches for it in the same way as for homosexual relationships.

Why is this thing accepted? The biggest reason is sticking to a lie. You will never hear abortion advocates say that parents have the right to kill their own child. Instead, they talk about the right to self-determination or a woman's right to decide about her body. Yes, these are good things, but they don't fit in this connection when the child is already growing in the mother's womb. Because the fact is that human life always begins at conception, not at birth. It is a scientific fact that cannot be denied. This was also acknowledged in a recent study that asked 5,577 biologists around the world when human life begins. 96 percent of them said it starts at conception (Erelt, S., Survey asked, 5,577 biologists when human life begins. 96 % said conception; lifenews.com, 11 july 2019).

Aborted children also have the same body parts as adult people: hands, feet, eyes, mouth, etc., so it is definitely a child and a person, just smaller than a newborn child or an adult person. This is factual information, to which e.g. the following quote refers:

You can't have an abortion with your eyes closed. You have to make sure that everything comes out of the womb and calculate that there will be enough arms and legs, chest and brain. Then when the patient wakes up from anesthesia and asks if it was a girl or a boy, the limit of my endurance has been reached and that's when I usually walk away. - If I do a procedure where I clearly kill a living being, I think it's nonsense to talk about destroying a budding life. It is killing, and I experience it as killing.” (Suomen kuvalehti, n:o 15, 10.4.1970)

It is therefore a question of whether it is right to kill a person, a small child ("You shall not kill") or not. If the defenders of abortion were consistent, they should also advocate killing newborn or older children, because in both cases the parents may have the same motive: they don't care about the child and want to get rid of it. Fortunately, supporters of abortion have not gone this far yet.

However, in ancient times, it was customary to kill and discard especially female children. This shocking custom disappeared with the spread of the Christian faith. Now the supporters of abortion are pushing for the same measure against children in the womb.

Doesn't a person know that an abortion kills a child? Yes, everyone knows it and instincts it, but the question is that everyone can harden themselves. People consciously choose the path where they believe they can get easier. (It's worth remembering here that unexpected pregnancy can be a difficult thing, and I don't want to be anyone's judge. However, this issue is worth talking about because it's real children whose lives are being ended.)

The following quote says something about this topic. It shows how difficult an unexpected pregnancy can be for many if they are not mentally prepared for it. It may seem like a heavy burden to them. The example also shows that, despite all the propaganda, many people who have had an abortion have the idea that they did something wrong after all. They may feel guilty about it, but they can no longer undo it:

After a moment’s silence, Nakagawa-san continues, “In the summer, I got pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. I thought that there was no way I would be able to start taking care of a baby, as little Daisuke was just three years old. Nowadays, people seem to think that two children are enough for one family. Education also costs a lot of money. Without more hesitation, I went to the doctor’s and had that small life growing in my belly destroyed.”

Her eyes filled with tears. So did mine.

“I later understood what I had done. I felt like I had killed my own child with my own hands. It was then that I understood that I was a sinner. I’m no better than other murderers...”

“Who told you that abortion is a sin? Did you hear it in church?” Suddenly, I had difficulties getting the Japanese words out of my mouth.

“No, I didn't. We Japanese know in principle that abortion is wrong, but many still do it. Those who have problems with their conscience can go to a special "temple of premature babies" to pray for the soul of their child, and bring a small image of Buddha there. My mother-in-law told me that I should go to the temple when she saw how miserable I was. But I didn’t want to go, because I don't believe in those gods.”

I thought that the law of God seems to have been written into the conscience of man whether he is a Christian or a Buddhist. But someone has to preach the Gospel – no-one can find it in his own heart. (8)

What can be concluded from the previous examples? The examples show that in modern times we are moving further and further away from the moral teachings and instructions that Jesus, the son of God, and the apostles he appointed gave.

A good question, however, is who ultimately defines right and wrong. Is it God or man? There is no ambiguity about this: God defines it. Or should a person like Hitler or Playboy, for example, be the judge and the person who defines right and wrong? This is by no means the case, but God himself is the final judge, as stated earlier. He judges people according to his own principles, and the polls do not affect this.

In modern times, it is worth remembering that large masses of people have made mistakes time and time again. For example, in Germany just before the Second World War, more than 90% of young people belonged to the Hitler Jugend organization, so public opinion and polls are not proof that people are right. If mistakes have been made in the past, why should our time be an exception? Modern people live in some kind of bubble if they can't see this.

Sins forgiven. Then to the most important thing, i.e. man's relationship with God and the forgiveness of sins. If a person has done wrong and wants to have his sins forgiven, what is his part in this? Such a person should note the following points:

Man must turn to God. The first important thing is, of course, that a person turns to God, confessing his sins. Many may just have the kind of faith where they believe all the things written in the Bible to be true, but they have never taken that step of turning to God and surrendering their whole lives to God.

A good example of repentance is Jesus' teaching about the prodigal son. This boy was living in deep debauchery, but then he turned to his father and confessed his sin. Father received him mercifully.

- (Luke 15:11-20) And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave to him.

17 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.

God has already prepared salvation for everyone. Secondly, it is necessary to know that God himself has prepared salvation for everyone. In many religions people try to get closer to God through actions, but the problem is that a person never gets certainty through that. It is an impossibility because we are sinful and deficient in ourselves. As long as a person stares at himself, he will lack certainty.

For this reason, God did not leave this matter to any man, but He himself approached us in his son Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life here, and after that He took everyone's sins to the cross so that they would not be a barrier between God and us. The motive was God's love for us. In the letter to the Corinthians, it is directly stated that God was in Christ and reconciled the world through himself. This makes salvation possible for every person who wants it.

- (2 Cor 5:18-20) And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.

- (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.

Only Jesus is the way to God. Since Jesus Christ, the son of God, died for our sins, it is natural that He is the only way to fellowship with God. Because only through Jesus can one approach God and obtain forgiveness of sins, as the following verses show. That's why make Jesus the Lord of your life, and you will receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life:

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (John 10:9,10) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 he thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

- (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.

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

- (Acts 13:38) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

If you have welcomed Jesus into your life and you put your faith, or trust, in the matter of salvation in Him (Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house."), you can pray, for example, in the following way:

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. Stephen Jay Gould: The Panda’s Thumb, (1988), p. 182,183. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.

2. Niles Eldredge (1985): “Evolutionary Tempos and Modes: A Paleontological Perspective” teoksessa Godrey (toim.) What Darwin Began: Modern Darwinian and non-Darwinian Perspectives on Evolution

3. Austin H. Clark: Quarterly Review of Biology, joulukuu 1928, p. 539

4. Timothy Keller: Mihin Jumalaa tarvitaan (The Reason for God), p. 71

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

6. Aril Edvardsen: Rakkauden terapia (Kjaerlighetens Terapi), p. 68-70

7. James W. Sire: Missä maailmassa? Maailmankatsomusten perusteet puntarissa (The Universe Next Door. A Basic World View Catalog), p. 36,37

8. Mailis Janatuinen: Tapahtui Tamashimassa, p. 17