Mankind’s Problem, God’s Solution
Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public life estimates that 85 percent of the world’s population of 7,968,316,300, has a belief system that pertains to God or a god that deals with how to relate to God or their god and the afterlife; this may be true of you. Why is this?
Because as God (Elohim; supreme authority) tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has set eternity in our hearts, meaning every person has an eternal perspective or awareness, that provides hope of an eternity free from the issues of this life. A person’s belief system guides them in how to obtain the hope of eternal life. In order to end up at the right destination, you need to start in the right place.
Its estimated that 385,000 people are born each day. As I am writing this on August 18, 2022, 36,944,900 people have died so far this year, and up to this point 53,440 people have died today. The truth is that each of them were born separated from God, which is the case for each of us. My purpose for writing this is to explain mankind’s problem of being separated from God by our sin and the consequences of that, and how God provided the solution to that problem, so you and I can live with Him for eternity.
Let’s go back to the beginning to see where we are today and how we got here.
Mankind was made in the image (sinlessness) and likeness (intellect, emotions, will) of God, and given dominion or rule over creation (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15). The man, Adam, was commanded by God that from any tree of the Garden he could freely eat, but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he shall not eat from, for in that day he ate from it, he would surely die.
Genesis 3:1-7 describes how Satan, previously known by the name Lucifer, the created angel, the anointed cherub, who wanted to be like God, and was removed from heaven. Because of this Satan hates God, hated mankind, and hates you and I. Satan didn’t want mankind to live with God forever (something he will never do) or to worship God forever (receiving worship as God being something he will never receive), so he deceived the first two humans, Adam and Eve, to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
This is where mankind’s problem begins. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, sin and death entered the world. Death in this sense is not just physical death, but spiritual death, meaning separation from God for eternity.
Not only that, but when Adam and Eve sinned, they turned the dominion or rule of this world (or kingdom to put it another way) to Satan. That is why Satan is called the god of this world in 2 Corinthians 4:4; which is also why Satan could temp Jesus with giving Him the kingdoms of the world and their glory (Matthew 4:8-10). It gets even worse. Colossians 1:13 tells us each of us are born into this world separated from God into the power of darkness or into the domain of Satan.
Our problem is that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), and as sin entered the world through one man (Adam) all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23, 5:12). The payment for our sin is death (Romans 6:23), and our sin will be judged (Hebrews 9:27). What does eternity look like for those who die still separated by God by their sin? This person will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15) a place Jesus describes as a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12) which awaits those who do not put their faith in Him.
The good news is God provided a solution to our problem!
God loved us in such a way that He gave His only Son Jesus so that you and I can live with Him for eternity (John 3:16). Jesus gave His life to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus who lived a sinless life in this world offered His life for you and me (Hebrews 7:27), as the only acceptable sacrifice to pay our penalty of sin (1 John 2:2).
You might be asking along with the other 85 percent of the world’s population, how do I get the eternal life God has made a way for me to have? The truth is you don’t have to do anything, it has been done for you by Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, God accepted His sacrifice as the payment for sins of the whole world. The truth is your sins are forgiven, however, being dead in your sins you’re still separated from God (Ephesians 4:2). What you need is life. Here’s the solution to that.
John 1:12 tells us “but as many as received Him (Jesus) to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. Simply believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He paid the penalty for your sins, and put your faith in Jesus that the work He did for your salvation and eternal life is the way to eternity with God; that’s the definition of faith.
Salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift, it’s free. We don’t deserve it (that’s why it grace), and we cannot earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9); that is why it is free), but you have take the gift; the believe and receive of John 1:12. Let’s say I purchase a seat for you at your favorite event, whatever that might be, as a gift for you, best seat in the house. On the day of the event you have the best seat to watch the event, but you don’t get into the event to watch until you go to the ticket window and receive your ticket to get into the event. You have to take receipt of the gift. Eternal life is the gift you receive, not by head knowledge but an act of your will (Romans 6:23).
Jesus tells us in John 5:24 that if we hear His word, and believe in God who sent Him, which is believing that Jesus is the Son of God, we have eternal life, and have passed from death into life.
Our identity then is in Jesus Christ, so spiritually we sit together with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). A Christian is a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and in Jesus Christ is holy and without fault in God’s eyes (Ephesians 1:4), with the ability to live the abundant life Jesus offers us (John 10:10).
As I am writing this, another 14,450 have died. Where will they spend eternity?
Where do you stand? Are you dead in your sins facing eternity separated from God or do you have eternal life in the presence of God? When you die physically, will you live spiritually with God for eternity, or separated from God for eternity, paying the penalty of your sin which is the wrath of God, with your own life. God loves you and made a way for you to spend eternity with Him. Believe in Jesus, and what He did on the cross for you, paying the penalty of your sins with His own life, and receive eternal life today.