Introduction
Why should anyone who is reasonable believe in God or the concept of a Divine, Personal God who has created the world and executed a plan of salvation involving a dying savior for the sins of the world? People have considered living their lives based on such primitive thoughts. A Christian world view states that despite man’s sin, God has enacted a plan of redemption. This plan for redemption, based on scripture, states that through Jesus Christ, we have atonement of our sins, and we would inherit eternal life. However, despite God’s plan, Satan has appeared as an angel of light and has sought to distract men and women from God’s plan of redemption through, unbelief, fear, and discouragement. I ascertain that it is the Christian’s aim to remain on the path which leads to eternal life and avoid the wide path which leads to destruction.
God’s Plan
The narrative story the Pilgrims Progress provides a profound story of a man name Christian who is stricken with a spiritual crisis. In his hands was a book of divine revelation that warns him that the city would be destroyed and burnt down with fire from heaven. Christian’s concern for the well-being of his wife and children deeply overwhelmed him with fear and lamentation. His family then suggests that sleep would calm his dysfunctional behavior. However sleep could not provide the necessary relief for his burdens. He then retreats in prayer and pity; he burst out with lamentation and asks an important question “what must I do to be saved”? He then meets Evangelist a messenger of the gospel who spurs Christian on his journey to the Celestial City.
There are many questions one might ask, does God’s plan of salvation truly exist? We believe God exists because surely He would love that which He created. In Genesis 1:27, God created man in his own image according to his likeness. Man however, through disobedience contaminated all humanity both physically and spiritually; therefore, God provides a way of salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. God manifested Himself in the flesh, and came to the earth. In the beginning was the Word, the Word was God, and the Word was with God, and He became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1) Jesus who lived a perfect life, without sin, died in man’s place so that one could live in heavens eternally. The profound revelation is that God made him who had no sin and to be sin for us; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son and whosoever, believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) God gave His only son, so that man could obtain the promise gift at no cost. In Old Testament, the blood of animals was shed for the atonement of man’s sins. It was impossible that bulls and goats could wash away the sins of the world, (Hebrews 10:4) however; the blood of Jesus atones for all sins.
Redemption though the blood was necessary for reconciling and restoring men back to God. Humanity has disappointed and disobeyed God yet He still loves the world. God is not willing that any should perish. By this remarkable underserving love He provides a way of escape through the shedding of blood which has power to remove men from guilt, shame, and purges the conscience. It overwhelmingly gives power to those that will overcome the flesh, the devil, and the world. The gift is made perfect and possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. To inherit eternal life requires obedience to the laws and ordinance of the gospel.
The reward is in heaven where God lives, there is no death, nor are sicknesses, pain, problems. Our citizenship is in the heavens and we wait eagerly for our savior. He will transform our bodies so that we will be like His glorious body. Paul says; “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain He that believes shall live forever in the heavenly place.” (Philippians 1:21)
Satan’s Plan
How can one handle adversity and distress on the path of righteousness? Satan is equipped with many vices which prevent men from reaching the pinnacle of promises. We’ve notice in the story Pilgrim Progress Christian’s journey is embarked upon some difficult challenges. On his journey he meets the Giant of Despair who is the master of doubt. One of Satan’s major weapons is unbelief; to deny the word of God, destroy the promise, the seed of blessings, and prevent the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. However, the giants of despair are always defeated by the great heart of the believer. The bible states that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. Spurgeon suggests, “unbelief has more phases than the moon, and more colors than the chameleon.” The bible also says Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44) His desire is to steal joy, ruin dreams, and kill those who are anointed. However, believers can stand on the truth that heaven and earth will pass away before God’s word fails. The gospel message has been tried and tested and thus it is confirmed that God keeps his word. Another major weapon the enemy uses is fear, which is designed to hold men and women captive to accomplish his own will.
Fear is an emotion induced by perceived threat of danger. David feared that Saul would kill him, yet he writes in the 23rd number of Psalms, “I will fear no evil.’ Satan uses fear to distract believers from the gospel message of grace, peace and prosperity. However, believers are reassured that God will restore and comfort them through times of distress and conflict. Fear is defeated by faith. Hebrews 13:6 says, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” One of Satan’s favorite deterrents is discouragement. Pliable a neighbor of Christian in the Pilgrims Progress agreed to accompany Christian to Celestial City, follows him for a while yet after falling into the Slough of Despond he became immediately discourage and returned home. Some people set a time limit on God. When the time runs out, they become discouraged. Believes must possess perseverance and endure hardship that doesn’t grow weary. (Revelation 2:1-5) Some people seek self-importance in this life. Some raise their expectations too high in this world. Both attitudes make distresses harder to bear. God deals with self-pity with Baruch through Jeremiah. God says, “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is the whole land. “ And do you seek great things for yourself, do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, where ever you go.”
Conclusion
No matter what our beliefs are, evidence both direct and indirect supports our claim that the way to inherit eternal life is only through and by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can based that confidence in the Word of God as well as what we see and observe in the world and the nature of man. I believe, do you?
