Always be prepared to give AN ANSWER to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15b; also Colossians 4:6)
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Are we really here?
No. Life as we experience it is an illusion. Nothing is real. Nothing exists. Everything we perceive is simply 'mind.' This answer leads to meaninglessness and insignificance. Therefore, a better answer is:
Yes. We are too significant to ignore. We impact others, we struggle with good and evil, and we possess a unique combination of feeling and intellect. Experience is real.
If we are really here, is anyone watching?
No. We are alone. Our origin and future are unknown. Only 'now' counts. Control goes to the POWERFUL because values and standards are arbitrary and are set by whoever is in control. This answer leads to corruption, tyranny and death (see Psalm 14:1; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Proverbs 14:12). Because such things are not good, a better answer is:
Yes. God is watching and he is active. Our origin and future are known. 'Now' counts forever. Control goes to the RIGHTEOUS because values and standards are set by God who is in control. This answer leads to freedom and life (see Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 1; 98:1-2; 103:19; 112; 119:142).
If God is watching, what has he done and what will he do?
God has revealed a coming judgment as part of his purpose for creation. According to the Bible:
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13; also Acts 17:30-31)
For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10b-12; also Matthew 7:21-23; 12:36-37; Romans 2:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
He [Jesus] will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; also Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 10:26-31; Revelation 20:11-15)
Is there any way to escape this punishment?
Yes. Because we have fallen short of his standards, we can escape God's wrath and punishment through the salvation provided by his Son, Jesus. To be 'saved' is to be free from condemnation, to experience deliverance from the bondage of sin, and to have "the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7).
What should we do?
Repent and believe.
"The time has come" he [Jesus] said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)
What is this "good news"?
"I [Jesus] tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24; also 1 John 5:11-12)
Will you expand on that?
Of course. Here is a summary of the gospel, the "good news."
The eternal, transcendent God created us in his image, desires our fellowship, and requires us to live in righteousness.
This is what God the LORD says -- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles." (Isaiah 42:5-6)
But as rebellious, disobedient sinners, we reject this relationship and are subject to God's wrath and sentence of death.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Because we cannot save ourselves, God, motivated by love, mercy, and grace, provided the way for us to be saved from eternal death.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Through this way of salvation we have an eternal, personal relationship with God.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6-7)
We are saved by faith and trust, not by works; they come later.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
And here are a few more Bible verses that describe what God has done to save sinners:
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14; also Acts 13:38-39)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28; also 1 Thessalonians 5:9)
Is this salvation only for our benefit?
No. God's way of salvation is primarily for HIS benefit, honor, and glory, not ours.
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Revelation 7:12)
Now it's my turn:
Are you ready to humble yourself, to repent and believe?
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24; also Romans 5:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:22-24)
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
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All Bible quotations on this page are from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by New York International Bible Society, and published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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