Odds and Ends

I promised to write about "science" and "religion" in the same blog last time, but I after a little more thought, I had two more ideas to add. So, here they are ...

The first thought is this: everyone dies. I don't mean to sound morbid or uncaring; it is a fact though, everyone dies. They may be young, they may be old, they may be somewhere in between, but everyone dies. The Bible says that "it is appointed for men to die once" (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV). Do you happen to know anyone of whom this is/was not true? If so, you can make big money by contacting the National Enquirer. It only seems unfair from our perspective when someone passes at a "young" age.

The second thought is this: The Bible teaches that sin entered this world through one man, Adam, and through his sin death entered the world and extended to all mankind (Romans 5:12). It also teaches that all of mankind is sinful and that there is not one single person who, on their own, is "righteous" before God (Romans 3:10, 23). God also says in His Word that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Now, again, not wanting to sound uncaring, but if you follow the logic, if we are all "sinners", and the penalty for being sinners is death, why are we surprised when the penalty is enacted.
The real question isn't, "Why would God allow innocent people to die?" What we should ask is this: "Why is God so generous to allow some of us to live and breathe for any length of time?" "Why, if we are condemned to death, would He allow us to carry on even one second?" Remember, no one is "innocent;" we are all guilty.
The answer is easy - He is a merciful judge and it's only through His kindness and mercy that we live.

I hear you out there - "But, I thought God is a God of love! How can anyone be condemned to death?"

While it's true God IS love (1John 4:8), not just a God of love, He is also completely HOLY and cannot tolerate the slightest hint of imperfection in His presence.

Two last thoughts -
1. This life is but a brief span compared to the life we will have in eternity. And rest assured, you will live forever after your life here on Earth is done. The only question is, will it be with God in Paradise, or will it be spent in a place of misery, "weeping (or, "wailing") and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30), separated from God for eternity.
2. If you prefer the former over the latter, remember He made a way of escape for you. You simply have to choose the "lifeboat" called Jesus. The Bible is quite clear that "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13; NKJV).

Alright, so next week we mix "science" and "religion." Hopefully, I will surprise you. Come with an open mind ...