In the Beginning was Information
6KezkB
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d) Manual of instructions for life: God has prepared <strong>the</strong> bestpurposes and greatest blessings conceivable for our earthly life. Heis concerned about our happiness in marriage, in our family, ourcareer, and our nation, and desires to bless us with success in everything,so that <strong>the</strong> words of <strong>the</strong> Psalmist are applicable: “Whatever hedoes prospers” (Psalm 1:3). God’s will for us is <strong>the</strong> best, as indicatedin uncountable ways. The upright will be prosperous (Proverbs 2:7),those who hope in Him will be streng<strong>the</strong>ned (Isaiah 40:31), and allwho are weary and burdened will find rest (Mat<strong>the</strong>w 11:28). Thereis only one answer to <strong>the</strong> question why God does this, namely“I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).A machine will not operate properly in <strong>the</strong> fashion envisaged by<strong>the</strong> inventor, unless <strong>the</strong> instruction manual is obeyed. How muchmore <strong>the</strong>n do our lives become a mess when we disregard <strong>the</strong>instructions for our life as provided by <strong>the</strong> Creator? This type ofinformation can be regarded as operational information, as discussedin Chapter 7. The Bible is <strong>the</strong> only instruction manual for ablessed and full life; <strong>the</strong> condition is briefly and simply formulated:“By living according to your Word” (Psalm 119:9).e) Signpost pointing to heaven: The highest purpose ever formulatedis that God desires eternal communion with each one of us.Earthly blessings are only a minute foretaste compared to <strong>the</strong> richnessof eternity. We are invited to enter heaven. The suffering anddeath of Jesus <strong>was</strong> <strong>the</strong> price paid for sin, so that we will not be lost.When Jesus rose up from <strong>the</strong> grave, this sacrifice <strong>was</strong> honoured byGod. Now anybody can get into <strong>the</strong> lifeboat which will reach <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r coast, because God does not want sinners to be lost, “butra<strong>the</strong>r that <strong>the</strong>y turn from <strong>the</strong>ir ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11).God sent <strong>the</strong> Lord Jesus “as a sacrifice of atonement, through faithin his blood” (Romans 3:25). Everyone who calls on his Name(Romans 10:13) and who receives Him (John 1:12), has crossedover from <strong>the</strong> death penalty of sin, to eternal life (John 5:24). Theway to heaven is just as simple as it is sure: The Bible is <strong>the</strong> onlycompass, and Jesus is <strong>the</strong> only Way. Anybody who turns to Jesus, issaved. He <strong>the</strong>n becomes a child of God and at <strong>the</strong> same time heir toheaven (Titus 3:7). This decision cannot be postponed. Bezzel oncesaid: “The pardoning power of grace is unlimited, but it stilldepends on <strong>the</strong> moment.”149