Origins
What is the origin of the many forms of life we see in this world? Where did we come from? Some supposedly wise men say we evolved very gradually from the very simplest form of life. One problem with this is that there are no truly simple forms of life. The simplest form of life is not simple. It has all the complexity required to survive and reproduce itself in a hostile world.
The only answer to all the different forms of life we see around us today is the answer the Bible gives us. There is a being that always existed and that created not only this world but all things that exist anywhere and everywhere in the universe. He created the billions of stars, solar systems and all things in them.
God created this world and all things in it. He created man in His image from the dust of the earth. He named him Adam (earth-born) and gave him control over all the world.
This God made Himself known to us, first through a man named Moses, then through His prophets, and finally through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus, the second person of the Holy Trinity, became a man, was born of a woman, lived a perfect, sinless life and then died for everyone that truly believes in Him. He, the only sinless person that ever lived on earth, died for His own sinful creatures. The innocent One died for the guilty. His sacrifice paid the sin debt in full for all that truly believe in Him.
How many, though, actually believed? The answer is none at all! Not one person that ever lived believed on his own! All, every person that ever lived, rejected the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ! All were so deeply enmeshed in Satan’s tremendous power that they could not even lift a finger or say a word to help themselves. It was only after God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all those He chose in eternity past that anyone was able to believe in and choose God.
All things, even the faith to believe in God, js not our own. It is the gift of 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2;8-10)
God’s Word is very clear here: even the faith to believe in God’s free salvation is not our own. It is a gift from God! When Adam, our original ancestor sinned, all his descendants sinned in him. As a result, we were all born in sin and are Satan’s captives until God gives us this gift of faith. It is God’s action and not the individual’s own choice that saves.
Dear reader, has God chosen you or do you believe you chose Him on your own? If it’s the latter, if you think you made the decision without God’s help, then your salvation is in question. Did your life change, really change since then? If you can’t see a truly fundamental change of direction at that point, you may be deceiving yourself.
If this uncertainty describes you, don’t despair. Where there is life, there is hope. God always answers a sincere prayer, late though it may be. Don’t delay though; give your life to God now! Don’t wait! There are very few true and sincere death-bed confessions of faith.