A Case for Faith in Jesus Christ

Idolatry is wrong. We can’t represent a living God with dead idols. Advaita is incorrect because the universe has an origin (Big Bang). If the universe is God, then God would become nothing at its beginning and end. It cannot be. The ten incarnations came to kill, not to save sinners. So, they are not helpful gods. In Islam, there is no complete forgiveness. All people go to hell and suffer for their sins. If God didn’t forgive them fully on earth, why would he do so if they cried from hell? God’s justice will be compromised if he forgives sin without punishing it. Besides, if God forgives sinners directly, he would also have to forgive Satan if he repents. Therefore, only through Jesus’ sacrifice, God forgives sinners, ensuring justice is served. Let us get into the details now of why God can’t forgive people directly.

 

God may want to forgive people directly. However, God's attribute of justice would hinder him. First, God's justice cannot grant forgiveness without punishing sins. Second, suppose God forgives humans directly without retribution. In that case, he must also forgive fallen angels (devils and demons) if and when they seek his forgiveness. In his omniscience, God knows that the devil will never seek forgiveness. Still, God's justice mandates him to grant a similar free will (like human free will) to the devil so that no one can accuse God of injustice. So how can God punish the devil and simultaneously rescue sinful humanity from condemnation? It would be possible if the holy God (constrains himself and) incarnates as a human to take the punishment for the sins of humans (and not of angels since he is not an angel) on himself. Thereby he could declare people who would trust in his sacrifice forgiven.

 

Many South Asian cultures believe in sacrificial rituals for the forgiveness of past life sins and ancestral sins. Why did God introduce animal sacrifice for the forgiveness of people’s sins in the Bible?  Genesis says people sinned and felt naked. Animals never sinned, nor did they feel naked. Therefore, it is likely that God demanded the substitutionary sacrifice of defect-less animals on behalf of humans for the remission of sins. Perhaps that is why God commanded Moses to slaughter a lamb and apply its blood on their doorposts to escape the destroyer. The destroyer was, perhaps, a plague that would choose and kill the first-born of humans and animals. God knew both Israelites and Egyptians were equally sinful. Therefore, he protected Israel's first-borns by covering their sins with the blood of a perfect lamb. Moses adapted the ritual for the atonement of Israel's sins in the wilderness and later in the temple. It points forward to Jesus, the true lamb of God who takes away the sins of all people.

 

Jesus, though the Shepherd King, also became a defect-less, sinless lamb for the forgiveness of people’s sins. King Jesus died on the cross to forgive the sins of all humans through his one and final sacrifice. He rose again to show he conquered sin, death, and its effects. Jesus is the resurrected God King. Now, he is the good news for us: the good and holy God has come to save us from the effects of our sins. Those who accept King Jesus as their King are God’s children and subjects of this merciful and kind King –Jesus. The Psalm 2 addresses the Jewish Messiah as the Lord who is equal to God Yahweh and a priest forever like Melchizedek. Jesus claims he is the Messiah. Jesus dispenses forgiveness like a priest. Like a King, He knows his subjects personally and cares for them practically. He also accepts worship like God. God is Israel’s King. Thus, Jesus claims that he is God, the Messiah King.

 

God’s love is unwavering and all-encompassing. He exists and cherishes all. The greatest and the only credible prophecy is Christ’s return. Don’t trust any other prophecies. So many people die before any of the prophecies get fulfilled. God doesn’t promise anything else but life with him in the coming age after Christ returns. He would wipe away your sins, and write his law in your heart by his Holy Spirit. If you are in him, you will get a resurrection body like Christ’s body. You will live with him forever. All other things are just insignificant in comparison to his love. Therefore, let us yearn to be led by God’s holy spirit. The Holy Spirit will remind you of God’s word: the Bible. If you submit to God’s word, it will sanctify you and guide you.

 

Finally, the goal is to become more merciful to others like Christ was. Love without holiness is no love; holiness without love is no holiness. Pray incessantly. Thank God for all that you have but take for granted. Love others, honor parents and leaders, and serve all. Show generosity to people in need whenever possible because life is short. Still, with the Holy Spirit, you are never alone. Pathological liars have no Holy Spirit. Jesus never drove people away from God. Instead, he died to bring them closer to God. People can lead others by the Holy Spirit or by their selfish ambitions. If you intend to complete God’s work, you don’t have to compete with pigs. The pigs love dirt. If you fight with pigs, they will love it, and you will get dirty. Give generously to those who seek your help. Love people. Serve God only. Try to live at Peace with all. Money doesn’t decide your worth; God does! Jesus does!