The Trap of Good Deeds (Part II)
We discussed in the previous article (The trap of good deeds Part I) how man fell into many dilemmas through his disobedience and rebellion against God during his existence in the Garden of Eden. Also, we have discussed the solution to the first dilemma.
In this article we will address the solution of the second dilemma and the introduction of solving the third dilemma:
Second: Solving the second dilemma: (The evil in the universe and the corruption of human nature).
- What is the meaning of evil (simply) ??:
The simple definition of the word evil is the human misuse of good powers and abilities (existence, mind and free will) into evil ways. The abuse of these good abilities has become the main cause of evil.
However,...
Since man has the free will and the freedom to choose between using his mind and his intelligence in good or evil (without being forced) , therefore he has the total freedom to choose his destiny.
Man is the one who chose evil to exist, and with his freedom he became accountable for the consequences of his actions.
If God forced man to do good works, how would he reward him? If God forced man to do evil works, why should he punish him?.
And it became the general rule by which God will judge man is: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Gal 6: 7 NKJV).
Therefore, God allows evil to exist (although evil is not his will or desire)... but unfortunately it is the will and the desire of man.
Thus, the existence of evil or the choice of committing evil works becomes a mean of testing the free will of man. Is it a good or an evil will?.
- Let me assure you that God did not create evil and did not create Satan and did not create darkness?.
A - Evil (means not doing good works or the abuse of human good abilities created by God to enjoy).
B - Satan (was originally an Archangel... however, he had chosen Pride... so he became a fallen angel).
C - Darkness (lack of light created by God).
... Therefore, evil is only the result of the will of the actor without being forced by the Creator.
"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God" (3 John 1: 11 NKJV).
Third: solving the third dilemma: (the corrupted human nature and having death as a destiny)
And here comes the question of what is the benefit of the cross as long as man eventually dies, whether he believes in the redemption of Christ on the cross or did not believe?.
First: what is the meaning of death?.
When man disobeyed God and was expelled from the Garden of Eden, he has experienced four types of death:
1 - Physical death: Is the separation of the body from the spirit. This type is the one that all religions and beliefs know. Then the body decomposes and goes to dust while the spirit goes to the waiting place.
2 - Spiritual death: Is the separation of the spirit from God (sin) Human beings have become separate from God by the original sin inherited through Adam our father.
3 - Eternal death: Eternal tournament.. Thus, everyone who died during the Old Testament era (before the cross) would have gone to hell, even the righteous ones.
4 - Moral death: Man has lost the divine image that he was created on and became a fallen human with distorted reputation before creation, and missed the human conscience and became dead while being alive. Consequently, paganism had spread in most of the world.
The solution
It is impossible to solve the death problem and the corruption that has occurred in human nature through religious teachings or principles or through God's forgiveness without conditions and punishment... Why?.
When God told Adam in the Garden of Eden, , "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2: 17 NKJV).
- Therefore, the solution requires the restoration of the original human nature and ending the thorn of death. Also, the word of God cannot be changed (as God is just, He is also merciful).
.... The redemption of Christ happened to provide the solution.... How ??.
We will talk about this in the next article... in details.
To be continued.
