Two young people here in Colorado are my genuine loving friends, and we have been doing activities together ever since I use to “baby-sit” (have fun with) them one day a week. A few years later, there was a period of time when the boy was getting sick more than average. One day when we were eating, he asked me, “Why did God create germs?” Good question. It led to a Biblical explanation about all of God’s creation being good, but that things go bad when there is a separation from God. There was an explanation about the disobedience of Adam and Eve, which resulted in a discussion. These facts from Genesis are not children’s bedtime stories, rather they are revelations from God that obedience to God results in true goodness, whereas disobedience to the instructions of God results in disaster. In this world where there was a separation between God and people, harmful germs are part of the disaster.
Praise be to God, there is hope in the face of harmful germs. God truly cares about every single person in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic catastrophe. God cares that many people have died. God cares many people are suffering. God cares about the unemployment. Countless problems have been encountered by countless people worldwide as most of us have been impacted by this pandemic, and God cares. God loves people, and when you truly love someone who is hurting, you care.
There is still hope for us all. Regarding death, though we all physically die sometime, eternal life is available to all who believe in Jesus. Why? When Peter was speaking to Cornelius and a large group of Cornelius’ relatives and friends, Peter stated: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10: 43 NIV). That “him” is Jesus.
What does forgiveness have to do with eternal life? With God’s forgiveness, a person is justified before the Father and united with the Holy Spirit. The result of being united with our Holy God who created us is eternal life. A follower of Jesus will still physically die sometime, however the person will spiritually live forever.
Regarding the fact we all hurt sometimes, a person who opens his or her heart to the love of Jesus will still have hurt and hardship in this world, unique to that person, yet blessings will be available due to the relationship with a loving Father.
Thus the forgiveness of sins by Jesus does lead to eternal life, and the reason this ultimate forgiveness is available: Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins. As John stated: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (John 2:2 NIV). Jesus took our sins within His own Spirit, to be our substitute as He died for sins. Then He was raised on the third day. Now he gives us the offer. Giving your heart to Jesus results in receiving His true love and forgiveness, and we all need true love and forgiveness for eternal life.
Hunter
