As we continue our series of questions most frequently asked by the unsaved we come to one which has intrigued many, including myself as a young Catholic lad growing up in the 1960s -
"Why did Jesus have to die?"
Given that the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most indisputable facts of history, and given that, despite being acquitted as innocent by Pilate the governor, Jesus was crucified as a common criminal, this remains one of the most puzzling questions of all time; and the answer is simple - Jesus died because God is both Holy and Merciful.
Because God is holy, He must punish sin. That is bad news as we have all fallen short of His standard, we have all sinned in His sight, and deserve eternal condemnation.
However, because God is merciful and loving He doesn't issue a blanket "death penalty" upon all mankind, and leave us to our fate (even though we deserve it) but provides a way for us to be put right with Him, while not compromising His holiness - and that is where the cross of Christ comes in.
When Jesus died God, the Father took our sins and laid them upon His own dear Son, thus punishing Him in our place As the prophet Isaiah put it ".....the Lord has laid on Him, the iniquity of us all" - Isa. 53 v 6.
However, He didn't only die, but rose again 3 days later thus showing that His sacrifice upon the cross was an acceptable sin-offering. This is made clear in Romans 4 v 25 where we are told that Jesus was "given for our offences, and raised again for our justification".
At first, it may be a wonder to us why this should be so - but rather than simply ponder this question we need to avail ourselves of the only way God has provided for us to be right with Him, and be assured of an eternal Heaven.
Next time we will look at the question "Are there contradictions in the Bible?"
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Monday, 6 November 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #8 - If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?
Continuing on with our series of articles on FAQs from the unsaved we come now to the following:
"If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?"
This is a fair question; after all, census returns seem to suggest that a growing percentage of the population do not hold to any religious belief and may even identify themselves as atheists. Others hold to one of the many non-Christian faiths prevalent in Britain today. What answer should we give to this reasonable enquiry?
Firstly, we should acknowledge that the enquirer is correct. Most people do not have a strong and vibrant faith in Christ; however, this is in line with our Saviour's prediction in Matthew 7 v 13-14 viz. that the way to eternal life is narrow and "few there be that find it", and the way to judgement is broad. with most people travelling along that route. The reason is simple - people love their sins and do not want to repent; this is asserted in John 3 v 19 where we are told that people "loved darkness rather than light..."
Secondly, we should point out that, due to the fact that Satan has blinded people (2nd Cor. 4 v 3-4), they will not turn to Christ until the Spirit of God works upon them. Indeed, in Acts 16 v 14 we are told that Lydia took heed to the Gospel preached by Paul because God worked upon her by opening her heart. Moreover, in John 6 v 44 we are told by Jesus, Himself, that people will not turn to Christ until they are drawn, and this is further confirmed by our Saviour in c6 v 65 where He states that people will not come to Him unless they are granted the ability to do so.
Thirdly, given that people will not come to Christ until they are drawn, and granted the gift of faith, it then begs the question - why do some people come, and others don't? Again the Bible gives the answer - in John 6 v 37 Jesus stated that the ones who come to Him are those given to Him by His Father. This is further confirmed in Acts 13 v 48 where we are told that it is the people "ordained to eternal life" that believed.
In conclusion - we should not be defensive when this question is raised but rather go on the offensive by stating that God is sovereign, His purposes WILL be carried out, and that He can never be thwarted in His intent to convert all those who have been been given to Christ by Him.
This precious truth should be an encouragement to us not to be fearful of failure when spreading the Gospel but be bold in declaring the truth as we have a cause that can never fail.
"If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?"
This is a fair question; after all, census returns seem to suggest that a growing percentage of the population do not hold to any religious belief and may even identify themselves as atheists. Others hold to one of the many non-Christian faiths prevalent in Britain today. What answer should we give to this reasonable enquiry?
Firstly, we should acknowledge that the enquirer is correct. Most people do not have a strong and vibrant faith in Christ; however, this is in line with our Saviour's prediction in Matthew 7 v 13-14 viz. that the way to eternal life is narrow and "few there be that find it", and the way to judgement is broad. with most people travelling along that route. The reason is simple - people love their sins and do not want to repent; this is asserted in John 3 v 19 where we are told that people "loved darkness rather than light..."
Secondly, we should point out that, due to the fact that Satan has blinded people (2nd Cor. 4 v 3-4), they will not turn to Christ until the Spirit of God works upon them. Indeed, in Acts 16 v 14 we are told that Lydia took heed to the Gospel preached by Paul because God worked upon her by opening her heart. Moreover, in John 6 v 44 we are told by Jesus, Himself, that people will not turn to Christ until they are drawn, and this is further confirmed by our Saviour in c6 v 65 where He states that people will not come to Him unless they are granted the ability to do so.
Thirdly, given that people will not come to Christ until they are drawn, and granted the gift of faith, it then begs the question - why do some people come, and others don't? Again the Bible gives the answer - in John 6 v 37 Jesus stated that the ones who come to Him are those given to Him by His Father. This is further confirmed in Acts 13 v 48 where we are told that it is the people "ordained to eternal life" that believed.
In conclusion - we should not be defensive when this question is raised but rather go on the offensive by stating that God is sovereign, His purposes WILL be carried out, and that He can never be thwarted in His intent to convert all those who have been been given to Christ by Him.
This precious truth should be an encouragement to us not to be fearful of failure when spreading the Gospel but be bold in declaring the truth as we have a cause that can never fail.
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