I haven't heard a response from you in regards to my last message, I hope I haven't offended you in anyway.
I've enjoyed our conversations and hope they will continue, I believe only God can fully convince you of the Bible's truth. The main issue I would like to address is - how sinful people are reconciled to a Holy God. It stands to reason that God has a penalty system for transgressions against Him (those transgressions are called sin). He is not simply an all loving God but a perfectly just God. People are truly judged by their behaviors. We have all fallen short of His idea of obedience. This means we are subject to His judgement which results in separation from Him. So then, how are we reconciled to God?
Through Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins. He is the propitiation for our sins. By confessing our sins to God and trusting Jesus (not relying on our own efforts) to save us, we are saved. We are reconciled to God because Jesus has paid the penalty due for our crimes.
In a weak analogy consider this:
If you rob a bank, the law requires you to serve a prison sentence. Picture Jesus coming to your rescue and volunteering to serve your prison sentence for you. You have to take Him up on His offer to escape your prison sentence, simply by Him offering doesn't get you off the hook. Your penalty will either reside on you or on Him.
This is exactly what happens in the spiritual realm, your sins and the penalty due them will either reside on you or on Jesus. If you confess your sins to God and ask Jesus, with an honest and believing heart, to save you (take the penalty for your sins), you will be saved. Salvation through Christ is not anything earning, we cannot earn God's favor. God makes it clear that salvation is a gift that can't be earned.
If you are not ready to embrace Christ as your Saviour now, I understand. But I do implore you to ask God with an honest and open heart and mind for the truth about Jesus Christ. If God exists (as I know you agree), it stands to reason that He will answer such a request.
I hope to hear from you again. It's been nice speaking with you.
Bob |
