An aphorism is a saying expressing the collective wisdom gained from the common experience of lots of people over long periods of time.  These homespun insights are not always true or universally true.  But they enshrine general principles reliable enough to have predictive value.  And because they transcend differences in age, sex, class, social status, and language (among others), aphorisms play an important role in shaping and homogenizing culture.  They also serve as safeguards for the young, sheltered, or naïve, against the danger of repeating others’ mistakes.  In that sense, aphorisms can accelerate progress.

Examples of well known aphorisms include proverbs such as, “waste not, want not,” “easy come, easy go,” “where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” “there’s no free lunch” and, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

As helpful as they often are, not all aphorisms are beneficial.  If, for example, it was truly believed that “no good deed goes unpunished,” the rational thing would be to avoid doing good.  Equally, if folks were absolutely convinced that many of the best things in life really are “too good to be true,” they would quite reasonably discourage pursuing hopes and dreams, taking risks, embarking on new adventures, attempting transformational breakthroughs, climbing the ladder of success, seeking love, finding a mate, discovering meaning and purpose in life, and so on.  Such developments would be highly detrimental to society.

The focus of this column is on that last aphorism (“too good to be true”).  It is of interest because it is of some use in explaining why it is that hell will one day contain so many who definitely did not need to be there.  But there they will be, because they found it incredible (as in, not believable) that God could love them as much as He says He does, that He could be as merciful to them, as He says He is.

For those who may be unclear on the problem:

• Sin (breaking divine law) separates us from God, who is holy.
• It carries the physical and spiritual death penalty.
• All have sinned and fall short of God’s righteous standards.
• If God gives us justice, all will be condemned.
• God doesn’t want to condemn us.  He wants to save us (without setting aside the standards). 

For any who haven’t heard God’s solution or may be a little rusty on God’s plan, here it is:

• I will send my only Son to become one of you.
• He will be tempted and tested like you, but will keep my statutes perfectly.
• He will have the right to eternal life, yet will trade places with you.
• I will punish HIM for YOUR sins, so that I can give YOU mercy you don’t deserve.
• He will suffer, die on a cross, and be buried.
• Because He is innocent, death won’t be able to hold Him.  He will rise again on the third day.

Here is God’s proposition to humanity:

• Believe this good news about Jesus’ loving self-sacrifice, His resurrection and God’s gift of grace.
• Abandon self-righteousness and accept the righteousness that comes from God.
• Humble yourself, confess your sins to God, and accept His forgiveness.
• Depend on God to help you repent (turn away from sin going forward).
• Trust in Jesus as your Savior from God’s wrath against sin.
• Call upon Him as Lord.
• Follow Him.

Here, right here, is where many stumble.  They feel that the Gospel, the good news about God’s free gift of salvation by FAITH in Jesus Christ is a fairytale.  Why?  In their opinion, it can’t be true because it’s TOO good to be true.  The conversation typically goes something like this:

“Do you mean to say that all God asks of us is to take Him at His word, end our hostility toward Him, renounce our rebellion and lay down our arms?”

“I do, yes.”

“There’s got to be a catch.  Besides, I could never bow to a God that can be had on such easy terms.  I mean, you get what you pay for, right?  Nothing worth having is free.”

“Would you feel that way if you had fallen overboard, and someone threw you a life preserver?  Would you grab it or would you first inquire about repayment options?  To be clear, I never said God’s gift cost nothing.  I said that it cost YOU nothing.  In any case, what would you give in exchange for your life and your soul?”

“Surely I have to do something…clean up my act, turn over a new leaf, get religious, give money to the church…”

“What could you do to improve upon all that Christ has done for you?  Would you like an opportunity to point out to God what was incomplete or deficient about it?  Can you explain to Him how you offer something superior to the precious blood of His Son, that paid your ransom?”

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace [undeserved favor], we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This is a faithful saying…” (Titus 3:3-8a, emphasis added)

Like it or not, the truth is that there is one God and He has established but one way to Himself.  That one way runs right through the cross of Christ: “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). The destination can be reached only by following the path that God has provided, approaching Him His way, on His terms.

Jesus also said: “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).  Is God drawing you to Jesus right now?  Why not talk to Him and find out?  For more details and God’s own assurance that you can trust his plan and promises, read on.

HOW TO BE SAVED:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words, and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you.  Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.
• Trust His promise to save you and give you a new spiritual birth and a new nature (thoughts, desires, priorities, hopes, dreams, and character).

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “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.”  (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  (Romans 10:9-10)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31) 
• “These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (I John 5:13)