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FAQ: So there's a supreme being, the universe is the result of intelligent design, and there's a frightful reckoning coming. What am I supposed to do about it?
A: The first thing you need to do right away is get your record wiped so that on the books it appears as though you've never been anything but 100% innocent. That way you'll qualify for an acquittal. There's a way to do it.
● John 3:14-17 . . Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Long story short: Moses' people became sick and tired of living in the outback and eating manna all the time at every meal. But instead of courteously, and diplomatically, petitioning their divine benefactor for tastier food and better accommodations, they became hostile and confrontational.
In response to their insolence; God sent a swarm of deadly poisonous reptiles among them; which began striking people; and every strike was 100% fatal, no exceptions. In no time at all, much people of Israel died. Then those not yet dead got nervous and appealed to Moses for help. In reply; The Lord instructed Moses to construct a replica of the beasts and hoist it up on a pole in plain view so that everyone dying from venom could look to it for immunity.
Now the key issue here is that the replica, lifted up, was the only God-given remedy for the people's terminal condition-- not piety, not sacrifices and offerings, not tithing, not church attendance, not missionary work, not confession, not holy days of obligation, not the Sabbath, not charity, not good deeds, not good behavior, not purity, not Bible study and Sunday school, not catechism or yeshiva, not one's religion of choice, not self denial and/or self control, not the so-called golden rule, not vows of poverty and/or chastity, not the Ten Commandments, and not the Eucharist.
No, none of that: not even prayers. That replica, lifted up, was it; viz: it was all or nothing at all-- there was no other option. Whoever failed to look to that replica for immunity died: no exceptions.
In other words then: Christ, lifted up on the cross to satisfy justice for the sins of the world, is the only God-given option for protection from the sum of all fears. The default is terminal; no exceptions. People relying upon religion and piety, instead of putting all their trust in Christ's crucifixion, are dead men walking, no exceptions.
So, here's what you do. Find a moment of privacy and audibly inform God that you would like to take advantage of His son's crucifixion just as the Jews took advantage of that effigy to save their skins from certain death.
FAQ: I can see how Jesus' crucifixion might suffice to get my past sins wiped, but what about the days ahead? What's to prevent God from starting fresh with another indictment against me?
A: You're in luck there because God has no interest in starting fresh against you. Your case file would be closed.
● 2Cor 5:19 . . God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.
The Greek word in that passage for "imputing" is logizomai (log-id'-zom ahee) which means to keep an inventory; viz: an indictment.
In other words; were you to be called to face justice during the great white throne event depicted at Rev 20:11-15, after requesting to take advantage of Jesus' crucifixion, your case file would be blank, i.e. it would contain not one single sin-- zero --with which to condemn you. You have Jesus' promise.
● John 5:24 . . I assure you; those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
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