These five paradoxes illustrate how contrary the Christian life is to life outside God’s plan and wisdom.

We Die to Live.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ^{John 12:25}

Those who prioritize their own interests over God, clinging dearly to temporary pleasures and fleeting satisfaction, will ultimately perish in their sin. To follow Christ, you must put your old secular and sinful life to death. You must “hate’ your old life in this world to fully pursue God’s will, focusing instead on the incomparable, eternal inheritance that awaits in Heaven. While the cost of such a transformation may seem awfully steep, it is not. When you give your life to Jesus, you exchange a futile and vain existence, bowing to a malevolent taskmaster for the love of a forgiving God. As his adopted children, we carry a light burden, and our souls find rest in the loving grace of God.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ^{Matthew 11:28-30}

We are Strong when We are Weak. 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ^{2nd Corinthians 12:9-10}

When our circumstances are favorable and we succeed in life’s pursuits, we often depend less on God. But when we feel weak and overwhelmed by life’s challenges or misfortune, we become humbled and more open to the will of God. We turn to him for strength, wisdom, and endurance. Through his strength, we build righteous character amid adversity. We are grateful for the humbling experiences, his grace that helps us endure trials, and his strength when we are weak.

We Give to Prosper

Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. ^{2nd Corinthians 9:6}

Generous giving is a hallmark of true Christianity, in contrast to the human instinct to hoard wealth. Joyfully giving from the heart is a beautiful testimony of faith and tangible proof of your love for and trust in God. I can personally attest that generosity has a profound impact on both tangible and intangible prosperity. You will find you cannot outgive God when you give something meaningful with the right intentions.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  ^{Luke 6:38}

Greatness is Found in Humility 

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. ^{Matthew 23:11-12}

The world often suggests that greatness comes from pride, power, and dominance. However, Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility and serving others. He, the highest authority, exemplified this humility by humbling himself to the point of death, offering salvation from sin to the world through his sacrifice. Achievements gained through ungrateful arrogance are repulsive, while accomplishments rooted in humble service reflect the nature of Christ.  

He who has, More will be Given, He who has Little, it will be Taken Away

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. ^{Matthew 13:11-12}

Those who have faith in the truth of God’s word will receive greater enlightenment, illumination, and revelation. Conversely, those who do not believe and have rejected Jesus will find that any light they have will be taken away. The longer you refuse Jesus, the more you will be surrendered to a reprobate, profane, and perverted mind, and the deeper your pit of darkness becomes.

A Quote from Tozer

Christians are or should be distinctly different from people without Christ as they live these paradoxes. I love this from A.W. Tozer’s book The Root of the Righteous:

“A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to Heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passeth knowledge. And all the while he may be confounding his critics by his unbelievable practicality: his farm may be the most productive, his business the best managed, and his mechanical skill the sharpest of anyone in the neighborhood.

The man who has met God is not looking for something – he has found it; he is not searching for light – upon him, the Light has already shined. His certainty may seem bigoted, but his is the assurance of one who knows by experience. His religion is not one of hearsay, he is not a copy, not a facsimile print; he is an original from the hand of the Holy Ghost.

We have not described a superior saint – merely a true Christian, far from perfect and with much yet to learn, but his firsthand acquaintance with God saves him from the nervous scramble in which the world is engaged and which is popularly touted as progress.

No doubt we shall hear many a tin whistle and see many a parade bravely marching off toward the Four Freedoms or the United Brotherhood of Mankind or the Age of Atomic Progress, and we will be expected to fall in step. Let’s be cautious. We are waiting for the trumpet note that will call us away from the hurly-burly and set in motion a series of events that will result, at last, in a new Heaven and a new earth.

We can afford to wait.”

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ^{James 1:2-4}

Life with Christ isn’t free of trouble. You’ll still face trials that often cause emotional or physical pain, misery, grief, or suffering. However, your attitude, resolve, and response will be rooted in Christian principles and character.

God tests us with difficult times to build endurance and strengthen our faith. Testing fosters maturity and shapes us to be more like Christ. Trials humble us, deepen our reliance on God, and reveal the state of our faith. The true depth of an untested Christian’s conviction is often unknown, even to themselves. Untested faith may be no faith at all, but faith that has endured and blossomed in adversity is a very precious thing to possess.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  ^{Job 23:10}

James encourages us to face life’s trials with calm, confident competence, staying steady in the face of challenges. We can do this when we trust that God is in control and that he works everything together for our ultimate good. With him, we can successfully navigate trials and become a strong testimony to his perfect will. Conversely, a person without faith is often driven by emotions like anger, fear, or distrust. They tend to respond with self-serving, expedient solutions that prioritize their own interests.

We trust that our heavenly Father will lead and protect us, allowing us to face each day with joy and gratitude. Those who live without Christ are left to navigate life on their own. For them, enduring trials may help build character, but there is no benefit beyond the grave. In contrast, for Christians, trials provide opportunities to serve God and demonstrate our peace through faith in Christ to the world.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  ^{John 16:33}

This beautiful verse reminds us to look to God’s incredible creation and understand that our fate is completely in his hands.

Psalm 1 – Blessed Are the Godly

This is undoubtedly the most famous Psalm, and for good reason. It provides deep comfort and security to those who have the Lord as their shepherd. The words beautifully express fatherly love and guidance. We experience endless joy and gratitude, blessed with goodness and mercy as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Truly inspiring stuff.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust Only the Lord, not Yourself.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

To fear God means acknowledging who and what he is: the only living God, the creator of all things, the judge of our souls, whose wrath can destroy us, and who can save us through his loving mercy and grace. Because of this, we live in awe (fear, even paralysis, with overwhelming possibility), respect, reverence, and obedience to our Father, who has complete authority and power over everything. That is what it means to fear the Lord.

If we fear him and also love him for his mercy and grace, we are driven to obey his word, to try to live by his will, and to act in a way that pleases him. God gives us the strength to do these things and grants us the wisdom to live according to his plan.

The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ^{Proverbs 9:10}

Matthew 7:13-14 – Few Will Find the Path to Heaven

This, the best-known verse in the Bible, was a shocking statement to the Jews. “God so loved the Jews” is what they would expect to hear, but that is not what he said. God loves the world – all of us. Here is the meaning of these two verses:

he gave his only begotten Son – God gave what was most dear to him, his beloved Son, as the ultimate atonement for sin, as a gift to us, something not deserved. His love for the sinning world was not sentimentality but a love that bore a tremendous cost.

whosoever believeth in him – not the whole world benefits from the gift. Those who believe, trust, and obey; who give their lives to; who rely entirely upon his Son, Jesus, will reap the benefit of God’s grace (unmerited favor) to the unrighteous world.

should not perish, but have everlasting life – this speaks to the quality of our eternal existence. To “perish” does not mean annihilation but ruin, failure to realize God’s purpose, and exclusion from his fellowship. To perish is to endure the wrath of God, which is an eternity in the fire of Hell. “Everlasting life” is to avoid God’s wrath because Jesus paid for your sin by his sacrifice on the cross. Through faith in Jesus, you trade Hell for Heaven and experience an eternity of joy because you will be in a right standing with God. Jesus did not come to judge; instead, he provided us the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation. The judgment of the world comes later.

John 3:36 – The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

This is my favorite verse. It presents the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a single verse: Find Christ, and you will have eternal life; reject Christ, and you will endure God’s wrath.    

Romans 5:1-2 – Our Standing with God

being justified – to be declared righteous in the sight of God and reconciled to him.

by faith – justification occurs through the whole-hearted conviction and trust in the word of God. Faith is to believe the word of God and the resulting submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

we have peace with God – the state of hostility with God is over; we are now at peace with him.

into this grace wherein we stand – grace is the free, unmerited, and undeserving favor of God, the undeserved gift of forgiveness of our sins. Because of his grace, we stand in a favorable position with God to develop a personal relationship of reliance and obedience with him.

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God – hope is the conviction of certainty (not a wishful hope), and glory is the full manifestation of God. We will radiate the glory of God, his perfect, holy character; our sanctification will be complete, sin will be removed from our existence, and we will finally be complete. Our hope is looking to our future in Heaven.future in Heaven.

Romans 6:23 – The Great Gift from God

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

No one on Earth meets God’s perfect standard of righteousness; therefore, every person needs a savior. Salvation is God’s gift to humanity, realized by faith in Jesus, who brings eternal life.

Romans 8:18 – Our Suffering now is Nothing Compared to the Joy that is Coming

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The trials and troubles we experience on earth are insignificant compared to our triumph, validation, and joy when Christ and the Kingdom of God are revealed. We who suffer in faith will be glorified when the time of faith is over.

Romans 8:28 – God Works All Things for Our Good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God is sovereign, the ultimate authority, and we find great comfort in knowing that He is in control of our lives and that everything we encounter has passed through his hands. We rest confidently in the belief that God ultimately uses all things for our good, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the moment. He will use every event and circumstance—the good, the bad, and the terrible—to accomplish his will for those who belong to him. His purpose is to shape us to be more like his Son, and there is no better outcome we could hope for than to become more like Jesus Christ. Although we may not understand the why, how, or when of what God weaves together, we trust him because we are his possession, and He cares for us. This is the comfort enjoyed by the children of God. Those who have rejected Jesus are on their own, and not everything happens for their good.

Romans 12:1-2 – Live for God, Reject the World

Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation is by the Grace of God, Not by the Work of Man

Our salvation is a gift from God; the only thing we can do is accept it. We cannot earn salvation, so we are eternally grateful for this gift. We are saved to live in obedience and to do “good works,” but our good works do not save us. Any religion that says you must do good works to earn your way into heaven is telling you a lie.

It is common for man-made religious systems to claim that one must follow commands, rules, rituals, sacraments, pious living, baptism, repetitive chants, or make payments to earn salvation. The arrogance of attributing salvation to human effort is blasphemy to God; salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ. Underestimating the sufficiency of Jesus’s sacrifice for humanity would be very unwise.

Philippians 4:4-8 – Rejoice and be Anxious for Nothing

This is a wonderful verse of comfort:

Rejoice in the Lord! – Be grateful and joyfully acknowledge the blessings that you have in Christ.

Let your gentle spirit be known – you should demonstrate gentleness, yielding, patience, self-control, tolerance, leniency, and generosity. The opposite of being contentious and self-seeking. Not spineless, but selfless.

The Lord is at hand – Christ’s return is imminent! I also believe this speaks to our closeness with God and to the fact that he is with us always.

Be anxious for nothing – anxiety is a natural, useless feeling. We worry about what might happen, and Satan uses it to take the joy out of our lives. God gives us the power to deal with anything, and the knowledge that all things are in his hands gives us comfort, and anxiety evaporates when we trust in him.

Let your requests be made known to God – Gratefully ask God for what you need. Take everything to the Lord. Pray about everything, worry about nothing.

The peace of God – This is peace from God, the removal of anxiety, and the tranquility that comes from being a beloved child of God. It is one of the most impactful benefits we experience as Christians. Salvation and a relationship with God are not only beneficial after this life but also provide for a joyful and abundant life now.

Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Guarding our affections and thoughts to stay in step with Christ helps us avoid the snares of Satan and the entanglements of sin. We are to focus on the good things.

• True – valid and reliable
• Honorable – worthy of respect
• Just – things that are correct, moral, and righteous
• Pure – clean and moral purity
• Lovely – amiable, agreeable, pleasing
• Good report – praiseworthy, measuring up to the highest standards
• Virtue – the character of moral excellence, righteousness
• Praise – worthy of worship and glorification. Praiseworthy

Colossians 1:9-14 – Prayer for Maturity in Christ

do not cease to pray – we are to pray continually for each other. Through persistence and fervent prayer, our petitions are effective. We are to pray fervently! Notice that Paul is praying for those succeeding and growing in Christ. We should pray that those who are doing well remain strong and successful in their faith.

ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding – The knowledge comes from the word of God, and wisdom is the skill to live according to God’s plan. If we ask God, he will give us wisdom ^{James 1:5}, and obedience to this wisdom produces a beautiful, abundant life that glorifies him. It is enlightenment from the Holy Spirit that directs us in how to live.

walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing – to follow his will that we now know because we are wise.  Daily loving obedience pleases God to strive to live as Jesus did, which can only be approached with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God – walking in a manner worthy of the Lord is to manifest the character and conduct of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This should be evident in our conduct and humble service to our neighbors. When we live in the Word of God, we grow in the knowledge and understanding of what he wants, facilitating our growth in maturity and effectiveness as Christians.

strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness – God’s power is unimaginable. Our Lord, the creator of all things, will make us steadfast (resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering, on solid footing) and give us the patience to endure and be effective in the Christian life. Faith in God’s promises provides us with the strength, patience, and resolve to succeed in the trials of life.

The Praise

giving thanks to the Father – We praise and thank God for all that he has done and for the promise of what is to come! All good things come from him, including our justification and salvation (the work of Christ), and he deserves our continual loving gratitude.

which hath made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light – as adopted sons and daughters, we are now qualified to be heirs to the Kingdom of God and the unfathomable joy and riches that this means. Our qualification is by the work of Christ and God’s grace, and for this we are eternally grateful.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son – God took us from Satan to himself. The moment we put our faith in Christ, we are rescued from the jurisdiction and authority of Satan. We now dwell in the kingdom of Christ as beloved children of God.

in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins – salvation available only by the blood of Christ on the cross. We who believe and make Christ our Lord are redeemed from the darkness of our sins and now live in the light of righteousness.

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Dead and Alive in Christ Will be Taken Out of the World

These verses describe the next event on God’s prophetic timetable. Those who died with faith and those alive with faith will be suddenly seized and taken out of this world. The dead are resurrected, and with the living, Christians will be snatched up to Jesus in the clouds. How wonderful it would be if he would come now so we can avoid physical death and enter Heaven.

This marks the end of the church age; all those who abide in the word of God (his church) will be taken from the world. This event will herald seven years of cataclysmic judgment, during which God’s wrath will be poured out on the unbelieving world. The suffering heaped on mankind will be incomprehensible, as has never been seen before. Also, knowing that no Bible prophecy needs to occur before the church’s rapture is essential. This can happen at any time. Please be ready!

1st Peter 1:2-9 – Our Incredible Christian Reality

We are the “elect,” known by God before the beginning of time to be his. God planned our salvation; Jesus purchased our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies our salvation – regenerating our spirits to make us alive. The “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” signifies the new covenant, which embodies God’s forgiveness and our response to it through obedience.

We praise God because, by his grace and mercy, we are born again (our spirit regenerated from death to life) with the sure hope of salvation, affirmed by the resurrection of Jesus. We look to the promise of our inheritance that will never diminish or fade away. This inheritance is ours because we are reconciled, justified, and adopted by God as his children. The grace of God makes this promise, and we are protected by his power to realize it, as Jesus will lose no one that the Father has given him. Our salvation is assured.

Trials test our faith in Jesus Christ during mortal life. We will suffer through trials for a time, and those who endure will be honored and glorified when Jesus returns to take us out of this world. We will escape the wrath of God and be received as his children for eternity in paradise. We, therefore, live with “joy unspeakable” because of our conviction of these things and confident hope in God’s promises.

1st Peter 5:6-11 – Christian Conduct and Reward

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God – to humble yourself is to be submissive and obedient to God. The scriptures are clear that God abhors arrogance and pride. His “mighty hand” is the righteous power and authority he wields.

that he may exalt you in due time – God will lift you up at the proper time, after you have been tested, according to his will.

casting all your care (anxiety) on him, because he careth for you – Give all your trouble in this world to God because he loves you and all things work for the ultimate good for those who love him.

be sober, be vigilant – be calm, clear-minded, practice self-control, be focused on God, be alert to your surroundings and situation, and seek and follow the will of God.

your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour – know that Satan is at work to destroy you and all that you love – to devour you. He also wants to ruin your testimony. Satan cannot take away your salvation, which God has sealed, but he can wipe out your testimony and the good you can do for the Kingdom of God.

rresist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Resist Satan by being vigilant in your faith (abiding in the word of God) and in obedience to God. Do this, and Satan will flee from you. Take heart that all Christians experience the same suffering while here on earth.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Our suffering here on earth is temporary, and the result of enduring suffering in reliance on God is:

• To Perfect – make us complete by maturing us, preparing us, equipping us
• To Establish – put us on a solid footing
• To Strengthen – we come out of trials stronger, being reliant on God, we can endure anything ^{Philippians 4:13}
• To Settle – to confirm, approve, and give us peace

1^st John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love the World.

The world system, ruled by Satan, holds nothing of value but leads to death. The transformed, regenerated Christian abandons the things of the world for salvation from the wrath of God and the promise of eternal life. John calls out the fundamental temptations that bring souls into the snares of Satan, which are lust for improper physical satisfaction, coveting that which you do not have, and pride in what you think you have. You cannot love and pursue the world and also love and seek God.

Revelation 19:17-18 & 21 – God Prepares for Battle

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Herein are the coolest set of verses in the Bible. They speak to man’s incomprehensible arrogance and his swift fate. This is Armageddon, the great final battle of man and evil against Jesus Christ. God prepares for battle by calling the birds on earth to gather for the “supper of the great God,” where they will feast on the carcasses of the armies of mankind. The outcome is so obvious and certain that it is the insanity of humanity writ large.  I can imagine the panic in the ranks when the angel summons the birds, and the realization of imminent disaster sets in. Their discomfort will not last long as Jesus kills them instantaneously with his word. The end will be anticlimactic, and the fowls will be filled with their flesh.

Now faith is the substance (certainty) of things hoped for (the promises of God), the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. ^{Hebrews 11:1}

Faith defined.

Faith is confidence, trust, and conviction that what we believe is true. Our faith is believing the Word of God, which leads to submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith begins by hearing God’s word; through it, we are justified and saved from his coming wrath.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

What is it that the Word of God tells us to believe?

When we hear the Word of God, we hear some incredible things. We are told that everyone is spiritually dead, unrighteous, an enemy to God, and headed for eternal damnation. We are told that God implanted himself in a teenage Jewish girl and was born as Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless life. We are told that God orchestrated an amazing plan to save us from Hell by Jesus suffering a brutal death on the cross to atone for our sins, and then was raised from the dead. We are told that only those who believe this will enter Heaven, and those who do not believe will spend eternity in the agony of Hell.

Who would believe this?

This incredible message is delivered through preaching by mortal men, maybe a sweaty evangelist in a $2,000 suit. We read scriptures written by a God we cannot see, hear, or touch, yet we are expected to believe or face a punishment so terrible it is beyond comprehension. Who in their right mind would believe any of this? Our intellect, rational reasoning, and culture lead us to dismiss this as nonsense and move on with our lives. And that is precisely what most choose to do.

The Miracle.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. ^{John 6:29}

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

But here is the miracle of faith: those who hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ are drawn and empowered by God to do so. Faith is not something we produce ourselves. It is God who gives us faith, and it is God who brings our spirit to life. Salvation by faith is an unearned and undeserved gift from God’s grace and mercy; a gift that, by free will, we can choose to accept or reject.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ^{Ephesians 2:8}

Faith – the perfect defining element of character for salvation.

It is interesting that God selected the intangible quality of faith to determine a person’s eternal destiny. God examines our faith, and if genuine, counts it as righteousness, bringing salvation. It is faith in his Son, rather than actions, religious rituals, piety, or lineage, that matters. Since saving faith resides in the soul involuntarily, it is never contrived or inauthentic; it is the perfect trait to confirm a devoted and transformed heart. Faith is not something that can be conjured; it either exists or it does not.

The Substantiation of Our Faith

Through life’s trials and challenges, we experience answered prayers that confirm, validate, and strengthen our faith, showing that the object of our belief is real and that we are not running this race in vain.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ^{John 15:7-8}

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ^{James 5:16}

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is another powerful confirmation of the validity of our faith. God moves to guide us and shape our circumstances, and his work’s impact is clearly seen in our lives.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ^{Philippians 2:13}

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. ^{Psalm 32:8}

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ^{Proverbs 3:5-6}

Fools for Christ

Our faith is visceral, and the secular world sees Christians as naive, ignorant fools. But we know that when the time for faith is over, we will be proven wise, and the worldly man will be revealed as a fool in his worldly intellect. God takes great joy in saving humble, trusting souls who believe despite the world’s wisdom.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.^{1st Corinthians 1:18-21}

Man Owns His Unbelief

The origin of faith is God. The origin of unbelief is free will, shaped by a hardened heart from pursuing worldly desires and a conscience seared by love of sin. Humanity’s default is to not believe the Word of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ^{1st Corinthians 2:14}

 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ^{John 3:18}

The central tenet of Christianity can be summarized as, “I believe what the Holy Bible tells me.” However, the Bible contains a wealth of information, and different interpretations of its scriptures have led to varying dogmas among those who identify as Christians. Still, the core and essential beliefs below form the foundation of Christianity. Those who believe otherwise are probably not true Christians.

The Trinity

God’s divine essence or nature consists of three distinct, eternal, and unchanging persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These members of the Trinity are the only deities that exist; they make up the one true God. Each is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. The Son is subordinate to the will of the Father, while the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the will of both the Son and the Father. The nature of the Trinity or the Godhead is certainly more complex than just three persons acting as God. The uncertainty of this concept troubles some and may hinder their conviction, but since God is beyond our mortal understanding, don’t worry about it.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ^{1st John 5:7}

God the Father

There is only one living and true God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, sovereign, incomprehensible, merciful, loving, gracious, patient, truthful, faithful, wise, all-knowing, and ever-present. He embodies perfect righteousness, morality, and holiness, free from evil, error, or sin. God works everything according to his immutable and righteous will. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, rewarding those who diligently seek him. At the same time, he is just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and ensuring that the guilty are severely punished.

God the Son, Jesus Christ

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  ^{Matthew 16:15-16}

Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the living God, who was God incarnate, the word (revelation) of God living among us. ^{John 1:14} He is our advocate in heaven, ^{1 John 2:1} and the light of the world. ^{John 8:12} Jesus is God, not a created being. He created all things ^{John 1:3} and all things were created for him. ^{Colossians 1:16} Jesus alone is the way to eternal life. ^{John 1:4} He is our only hope for salvation from the penalty of our sins and eternal life in Heaven. ^{John 14:6}

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ^{1st Peter 1:3-5}

God the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. ^{John 14:16}

The Holy Spirit is a divine person with will and emotions. He dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

Jesus the Redeemer

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ^{John 1:29}

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice who redeems us from the penalty of our sins. He bore the punishment for the ungodly through his brutal death on the cross. Jesus is the Redeemer for all who call on his name; he will either be your Savior or your Judge

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ^{1 Corinthians 15:17-20}

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This confirmed his divinity and his substitutionary atonement for our sins. If there had been no resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but rather for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ^{Romans 3:10}

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ^{Romans 3:23}

No one on earth is righteous enough to stand alone before God. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and is under condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, as no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your righteousness, you will perish.

 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:23}

Judgement is Coming

Everyone will die and be held accountable for their actions during their mortal life. You can stand before God forgiven and as an heir to his kingdom, or as a soul who died with unforgiven sins.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. ^{Hebrews 9:27}

Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (sola fide) and by the Grace of God Alone (sola gratia)

For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works let any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

There is nothing man can do to earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ does that. We are saved for doing good works, not by good works. ^{Galatians 2:16} The only thing you can do to be saved is to know there is nothing you can do to be saved other than cast yourself on the mercy of God.

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven (solus Christus)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ^{John 14:6}

There is only one way to heaven, and that is by faith and submission to Jesus Christ. This message of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

The Bible is the Only Authority on Faith, Doctrine and Practice (sola scriptura)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ^{Romans 1:16}

The Holy Bible is God’s word, his revelation to us, and it contains everything we need to know. It is the final authority on all aspects of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines from human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; there is nothing else to consider.

 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ^{Revelation 22:18-19}

God is in Control

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ^{Romans 8:28} 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. ^{Peter 5:10}

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ^{Matthew 19:26}

Those in Christ are under the care of the mighty God, the creator and sustainer of all. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly keep from him. Nothing happens to his children without passing through his hands; nothing surprises him, and everything that occurs is for our ultimate good.

The Return of Jesus Christ.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ^{Hebrews 9:28}        

Jesus came to Earth the first time as a suffering servant. He did not come to judge but to save the world. For thousands of years since his departure, humanity has had the opportunity to turn to him and be saved from the inescapable wrath of God.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering King bringing God’s wrath upon the unrighteous world. This event will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and momentous in human history. 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. ^{Revelation 19:11-16}

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. ^{Romans 1:19-20}

Although God is not physically present or audibly speaks to us, there are undeniable, tangible markers in the world that attest to his presence.

The first point to consider is that we are here. There is no debate that, even under ideal conditions, the probability of the simplest life forms emerging from nothing is effectively zero. Consequently, the odds of a sophisticated mammal capable of comprehending a complex language and contemplating abstract concepts are then absolutely zero. Yet, here you are. How can we account for that?

Also, the planet where that unlikely mammal lives is perfectly designed and created for him. Earth has the exact amount of everything needed for humans and all other living things to thrive. Could Earth’s perfect distance from the Sun or the planet’s perfect composition of rock, water, temperature, and atmosphere be a fluke of nature?

Consider also the incredible diversity of living things here on Earth. There are so many species that they cannot be counted precisely. The most recent authoritative estimate is over 8.5 million, plus or minus a million. Among these millions of species is a wide range of configurations that speak to influence beyond just environmental pressure or the adaptation necessary to survive over time.

For example, the blue whale weighs 400,000 pounds, while the tiny bumblebee bat weighs only 7/100 of an ounce. One lives underwater, and the other flies through the air, using the echo of its screams to find and catch bugs. It seems unlikely that evolution alone could explain the incredible diversity of animals on Earth. Instead, it appears that the vast inventory of unique flora and fauna offers credible evidence of God’s work.

Another demonstration of God’s existence is evident in the human eye. The eye is an amazing example of design perfection, providing the miracle of sight in a highly efficient, compact organ of irreducible complexity. It weighs only a quarter of an ounce, has millions of moving parts and light-sensitive cells, can distinguish over 10 million colors, and can spot a candle flame from about a mile and a half away. The genius of the eye’s design and its realization seems too extraordinary to have happened by chance, pointing to the existence of a divine architect and creator. Even Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution by natural selection, recognizes the obvious:

“To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I confess, absurd in the highest degree” – Charles Darwin.

Then there is morality – principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong. In nature, it is correct and acceptable for the strong to prey on the weak and for the cunning to deceive the naive. In this sense, there is no concept of wrong in nature; there is only the way things are. However, in human society, even though the definition and perception of morality may change somewhat over time, we recognize that some actions and behaviors are good, righteous, and noble, while others are immoral, unrighteous, and even evil.

Few would dispute that murder is immoral or that sacrificing for others is a righteous act. It is easy to recognize evil in our world, such as the depraved individual who massacred 20 innocent children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Conversely, it is equally clear that someone who volunteers their life to save another or to save everyone represents the highest form of virtue. If there is only nature, with no distinction of morality, what accounts for our fundamental recognition of right and wrong, good and evil? Did we learn about these differences through upbringing, intellect, and life experiences? Or do we live in a world created by a God who intends for us to rise above the instincts of nature?

The evidence is compelling that our world and everything in it is the work of a deity, the Almighty God. However, both accepting and rejecting that conclusion require acts of faith. Some will see the existence of God as obvious, and believe that to deny it goes against reason. Others will trust in the tiny odds that everything in creation happened by chance.

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.  ^{Job 12:7-10}

If the conclusion is that God exists, why is Christianity the correct pursuit of him?

Consider that Christianity sprang from the most obscure beginning, blossomed into the predominant religion on Earth, and has remained so well over the last thousand years. Billions of souls believe that Jesus Christ is God.

How could it be that the words of a man born in a primitive town 2,000 years ago, who delivered his message for only 36 months and gathered only a handful of followers before his brutal murder, were not lost to the ages? How is it that this guy’s message has persisted?

Two thousand years after his crucifixion, Jesus is everywhere in society – either worshiped, ignored, mocked, or despised. It’s astonishing that the words and actions of a young Jewish carpenter from so long ago would be the most impactful and influential in human history. That is, unless Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be – God incarnate.

Aside from persistence and ubiquity, here are three more reasons why Christianity, which is faith in Jesus Christ, is superior to any other set of beliefs or concepts of God:

First, interaction and relationship are with God himself, not a prophet or a great moral teacher speaking about a distant deity. We come to know the one true living God who tells us about himself, ourselves, how to live, and how to perish.

Who (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ^{Colossians 1:15-17}

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. ^{John 1:14}

Secondly, in Christianity, the forgiveness of our sins and our reconciliation with God are gifts he gives us. Every other religion, and even some Christian denominations that have missed the point, base salvation on things you must do, rituals you must perform, sacrifices you must make, or traditions and sacraments you must follow in hopes of earning God’s favor. There is no salvation in these things. Salvation is an unearned, unmerited gift, a miracle, an act of grace by God that saves us from the penalty of our sins and qualifies us for Heaven. Humanity, on its own merits, cannot earn a righteous standing with God.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

Thirdly, the foundation of Christianity is a book that claims to be the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God, rather than just words about God. This book is the Holy Bible. Written over 1,500 years by 35 authors, it presents a consistent message of good and evil, God and humanity, life and death, judgment and salvation. The New Testament was written by disciples who knew Jesus personally. The apostles of Christ put words on paper in the power of the Holy Spirit and delivered the message and teachings of Jesus until they were martyred for what they preached. The divine nature, guidance contrary to human instinct, and the profound presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ all show that the scriptures did not originate from human wisdom or imagination.

Conviction that the Bible is God’s word is the essence of faith, and for those who trust in Jesus, the Bible serves as an amazing, dynamic connection with God. You will find it inexhaustible in its ability to reveal meaning, and through it, your life will be transformed. It holds everything we need to know about God and his guidance for us; the answers to all questions that matter are found in the Bible – if you desire to find them.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. ^{2 Timothy 3:15-17}

Everything in this work you are reading and belief in the tenets of Christianity are based on faith and trust that the words in the Bible are, in fact, the words of God. The profane, natural man has no such faith. To him, the Bible is foolish nonsense, an archaic work of implausible fiction embraced by the gullible. The secular man cannot accept the things of God; he does not believe because he cannot believe.  

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ^{1 Corinthians 2:14}

In Christianity, believers have a direct relationship with God without the need for an intermediary. The forgiveness of sins, justification, and reconciliation with God are gifts available to everyone. Additionally, Christian doctrine is based on revelation directly from God. These are clear differences that set Christianity apart. No other religion, doctrine, philosophy, or man-made system of living or beliefs offers these things.

What follows is the dire message of Christianity and the hope of the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.

The Bible gives us a clear picture of God’s character and qualities.

There is only one God. Throughout history, humanity has sought gods of imagination, lust, and superstition. The phrase “I am the Lord” appears 161 times in the Old Testament, clearly emphasizing that he is the one and only true God. There is no other God that exists.

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: ^{Isaiah 45:5}

God is Omniscient. God knows everything, including the past, present, and future. Nothing surprises him, and nothing is hidden from him.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (to whom we must answer). ^{Hebrews 4:13}

God is Omnipresent. He is everywhere at once; you cannot escape his presence. 

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. ^{Psalm 139:7-10}

God is Omnipotent. His power is beyond our comprehension, and there are no limits to what he can do. God is in control of everything, all the time.

 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ^{Matthew 19:26}

An Eternal and Unchanging God. God is the same today, tomorrow, and forever.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. ^{Isaiah 40:8}

 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. ^{Psalm 102:25-27}

God is Righteous. He is the author of all that is good; he is moral perfection. In him, there is no evil or error. To be in his presence, one must also be morally perfect, and only those clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ are deemed to meet this impossible standard.

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. ^{Psalm 11:7}

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. ^{Psalm 145:17}

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ^{1 John 1:5}

A God of Wisdom: God’s wisdom of God is flawless, righteous, loving, kind, impartial, and far beyond man’s ability to comprehend.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, (reasonable) full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ^{James 3:17}

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. ^{Romans 11:33-36}

The wisdom of God is very often contrary to the wisdom of man. He chose a Christian killer to become the greatest evangelist ever known. He proclaims that there is no one greater than a man who lives in the wilderness, surviving on honey and locusts. And he favors the humble, the lowest elements of humanity, for salvation and glorification.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. ^{1st Corinthians 1:25-29}

A God of Love God demonstrated remarkable love for humanity by sacrificing his Son to atone for our sins. That love endures today, as each of us has the opportunity to accept his gift of salvation and eternal life. He did this for people who opposed him, not those who loved him. Those who are not for God, who live in sin, are against him; yet he has provided them with a path to salvation instead of an eternity of suffering.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. ^{Romans 5:8-11}

A God of Patience God is patient, giving humanity thousands of years to turn to him. He is also patient with us individually, waiting a lifetime for us to repent and accept his Son. However, his patience has limits, and judgment is coming.

 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ^{2 Peter 3:8-9}

A God of Assurance and Comfort. Our lives as Christians are not free of trials and troubles, nor are they meant to be. We will face tests in this life, and these tests can be severe. Thankfully, God is always with us, and our fate is in his righteous and loving hands. We trust him that all things work together for our ultimate good. Those who have faith in Christ can find comfort in this promise. However, those who do not have faith in Christ must face life’s challenges alone, and not all things work for their good.

The Lord is nigh (close) unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit. ^{Psalm 34:18}

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ^{Psalm 23}

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ^{Romans 8:28}

A God of Provision. God supplies everything necessary to live according to his will. His provision is abundant for those who live for him, sometimes beyond reason

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ^{Luke 11:9-10}

A God to Call Father. As adopted sons and daughters, we look to God as our Father. He teaches, guides, protects, corrects, and disciplines us with love.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ^{Galatians 4:6}

A Sovereign God. God is the ultimate power and authority. He makes decisions and choices according to his good pleasure. No power or being can thwart his will.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ^{Colossians1:16-17}

A God of Justice and Punishment. God is just and cannot condone sin, for which the penalty is death; and the unrepentant, unredeemed souls will receive just that.

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. ^{Hebrews 10:30}

A God to be Feared. Because he is the ultimate authority and power, we stand in awe, reverence, respect, and obedience before him. We fear offending God and desire, above all else, to walk in a manner that pleases him. For those who are lost, there is no fear of God because he is perceived as an abstract or fictional concept. However, after this life, when the words in the Bible are proven true, they will surely come to experience a fear of God. Their fear, though, will not be one of respect; instead, it will be a fear born of remorse and terror – the crushing fear of judgment, condemnation, and imminent eternal agony – fear of the inescapable wrath of God.

Because of this reality, we are deeply grieved for those who have no fear of God and have turned away from Christ. They are destined to face the consequences of their unrepentant sin, and their fate is so terrible that it is unbearable to think about it.

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ^{Hebrews 10:29-31}

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ^{Proverbs 9:10}

A God of Mercy. God is merciful to the contrite who have turned in faith to his son. His mercy is inexhaustible to those who love him.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ^{Lamentations 3:22-23}

A God of Redemption. Jesus has redeemed us from the penalty of the law that illuminates our sins. This is God’s marvelous gift and an astounding demonstration of his love, providing us salvation from the wrath that is to come – wrath that we richly deserve.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ^{John 3:15-18}

A God Beyond Comprehension. God, who is everywhere, knows everything, created everything, and whose plans and outcomes were predetermined before time and never fail, cannot be understood by man. We cannot comprehend how he operates. We understand God as well as a dog understands us.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ^{Proverbs 3:5}

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my was saith the Lord. ^{Isaiah 55:8}

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. ^{Romans 11:33-36}

This is the nature of God: ruler, architect, creator, the incomprehensible sustainer of all things. He is the righteous and merciful judge, redeeming the faithful and punishing the disobedient

God created man and set him above all other creatures with the qualities and competencies of a self-conscious and rational being (a person). He gave us intellect, the ability to grasp abstract concepts (such as faith, morality, truth or lies, and evil), faculties of communication, and feelings of deep emotion. We also possess the capability to act of our own free will, as we have agency, and the ability to make choices. These attributes are elements of personhood; qualities that make us meaningful and valuable. This is what is meant by “made in the image of God”. We have dignity and worth, creatures built for relationships; God created us to have a relationship with him.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. ^{Genesis 1:26}

But the elements of the image of God in which we were made are of capability, not so much character. Man is an innovative and resourceful creature, but he does not possess, in any meaningful way, God’s divine characteristics, particularly that of righteousness. To be righteous is to be morally correct, and we all fall far short of God’s standard of perfection.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ^{Romans 3:10}

for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ^{Romans 3:23}

We see this clearly and profoundly in the world’s immorality and depravity. We also notice it in our daily lives, as we often prioritize our pleasure and comfort. We place our interests, desires, and love of worldly things above our love for God. Jesus tells us that the most important commandment is: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” ^{Matthew 22:37-38} To love God is to obey him, and to hate God is to live against his will, violating his commandments. This is sin, a malady common to all mankind.

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ^{Hebrews 10:30-31}

God is clear about how he deals with sin. Every person will be held accountable for their unforgiven sins, and the penalty is eternal damnation. We all deserve God’s wrath that will come when we stand before him and face his judgment.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. ^{Revelation 20:11-13}

The unrighteous nature of man and the coming judgment raise a crucial question. If no one, no matter how hard they try, has a righteous standing before God, then are we doomed to suffer in Hell forever? The answer is yes.

This is why mankind desperately needs a Savior.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ^{Hebrews 9:27-28}