We're Only Human

John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

“You’re always telling me, ‘Don’t do that! Stop it! That’s not right!’ Jeez! You Christians can’t have any fun at all. But I’m having a great time! That’s why I’m gonna keep on doing things my way. Thanks, but no thanks.” 

Many of today’s non-believers associate their beliefs about Christianity with Old Testament stories. They’ve heard them told and re-told since they were young. These tales from the Bible illustrated how people would drop dead in their tracks if a single rule were broken. “Steal from God, and the earth will open up and gorge on your bones!” Or “Man! You kill just one obnoxious brother, and you’re branded for life.” And folks, let’s not forget about Sodom and Gomorrah - the first urban renewal program. Incidentally, seeing the depravity of our culture today would horrify even those degenerates, back to the topic du jour.

Those who hold firm to the ancient accounts of the Bible are sometimes quick to express 'I told you so' when a fellow Christian stumbles. They feel validated because they believe they made the right choice and had fun while doing so. To them, morality had nothing to do with it. However, they failed to grasp the epitome of the obvious. They base their beliefs on a shaky foundation: "We’re all only human!” But, as if on cue, all media obliges their smug attitudes, corroborating their suspicions relentlessly! Headline: “Another one of your Christian heroes falls from grace.” "See", he says, "I told you so!"

 Many people base their assumptions on true stories from the Bible about the preservation of our species. The Old Testament specifically needed a “fire and brimstone” God. Since the twelve Tribes of Israel were His chosen people, a people already classified as “stiff-necked,” God needed to get their attention and keep it on Him! He had to demonstrate His mighty arm on many occasions to fulfill His plan. This plan was recorded and confirmed with the miraculous birth of a baby in Bethlehem, in the Middle East. This place would be the center of the world’s attention throughout the accounts of all civilizations. God the Father sent His only Son in an incredible display of love and mercy for His children, all of His children! In a sense, God transmitted His Son to Earth using a different social medium for the absolute liberation of humanity.

Jesus would lead the most extreme rescue party in history. He discarded His life and went captured to the cross to emancipate the human species! Hellfire and brimstone no longer needed to be hurled from the heavens for our every mistake. Those sins were eradicated on Calvary. They were permanently erased from God's perfect memory.

“How is that possible?” you ask. When Our Father, who art in heaven, looks down at us, He only sees a concealing cloak placed over us by His Only-begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. It covers each believer in an impenetrable force field of forgiveness. Other than believing that Jesus is the Savior of the World plus a verbal act of repentance and faith, there is nothing more we can say or do to earn this gift.

• Fact! Jesus Christ came into the world so that God’s wrath would no longer be carried out for every sin.

• Fact! By His death and resurrection, we could now proudly wear the title of a "Follower of Christ."

• Fact! We were all given a choice. There was no longer a reason for us to feel condemned, no valid cause that everyone’s life could not be filled with peace, love, and happiness. The Creator of the Universe still wants this for all of His children.

Rest easy, my friends. The truth is that, because of Jesus Christ, we can still experience all the joy and fun in the world! We can have the best times of our lives in this world and, Oh, by the way, in the next one, too!

IDKWYH, BTTI... (I don’t know what you’ve heard, but the truth is...) "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:17