The sum of mankind's greatest knowledge, wisdom and understanding merely reaches the very edge of the vastness of that belonging to God. God could easily speak to mankind in riddles too far beyond man's ability to grasp, but our Creator's not a vengeful God consumed with a hope of destroying all of mankind that He created, so carefully and lovingly, with a desire to share life with. He's a loving and endless Creator taken with an opportunity to offer forgiveness toward what He holds dear - but He's also completely righteous, completely holy and completely just. This means that He can't tolerate uncleanness or sin and that justice requires punishment for failing to meet those same standards. Given that, God offered failing mankind a way out. He sent His own Son to suffer and die, taking our punishment, and then raised Him back up to life again. Through this God now offers a simple message of hope with a choice - to repent and embrace His offer of forgiveness - accepting His Son's death in our place ... or to remain unforgiven and still waiting to face the wrath of His righteous justice.
"He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." 1 Peter 2:22-24 (NLT)
"He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." John 1:10-13 (NLT)
"Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”" Acts 2:37-39 (NLT)
The message of the gospel is simple so that mankind can understand it. It's not hidden in words that escape mankind's ability to understand because it's the desire of the God of creation that all of those that He calls to come to Him will hear it and be saved from His coming righteous judgment. And though our senses and reaction to its foretelling might be dulled by the passage of time, it IS coming.
Those who have repented and embraced this message of hope - found in a gospel so simple as to seem foolish to mankind's foolishly stubborn intellect, have it only because of the heartfelt desire of a loving God to be allowed to show undeserved mercy to what He truly loves. It's a sad truth that many have returned only lip service in response, others have arrogantly misunderstood it's simplicity - missing its power to save them, and still others have scoffed at it in unrepentant insolence. If they're lost in God's final judgment, our hearts will be grieved with His also for His loss, but the decision belongs to everyone who hears His message. For some, I challenge also to consider whether just saying a few words and remaining unchanged without making any progress toward Christ are enough to save anyone... or whether changed hearts and minds toward Him and His requirements of us are His mark... Are you sure?
"So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.f Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?" James 2:17-20 (NLT)
No human being knows when the last grain of sand will fall from the hourglass of their life here and no one but God Himself knows when the last grain will fall from the hourglass that He's set to show the expiration of the time that He's set for mankind to accept His offer. Humanity in general is very far from God's standards of perfect righteousness, holiness and justice and deserves to be punished by Him, but if you've heard the message of Christ's sacrifice of Himself for punishment in our place and His resurrection and haven't yet acted on it in sincerity, you still have time while you still have breath. It's time to get serious - it's a matter of life ... and a death far worse than any physical death.
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