In the Beginning was Information

– energy is utilised, and– the consumption of energy is optimised.The divine (or spiritual) information affects us in a similar way,because it– saves us from being led astray,– prevents us from wasting our lives,– uses our gifts in life (natural talents, time, and money),– optimises our life situations (marriage, occupation, and pastimes),and– saves our life from perdition, giving us eternal life.2. Spiritual will: There is a saying which goes like this: “Whoeverdoes what he desires, often does what he should not do.” And MartinLuther stated: “Whenever our free will does what is inherent,then we commit a deadly sin.” Even the apostle sent to manynations, Paul, confessed: “I know that nothing good lives in me,that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what isgood, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I wantto do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing”(Romans 7:18-19). Our best ethical intentions for doing good, willnot be successful if we rely on our own strength. Egoism is themost certain human characteristic.Jesus described our will and nature much more strikingly than allphilosophers, humanists, and psychologists: “The spirit is willing,but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41). The deadly poison of sinis so deeply infused in us since Adam’s fall, that we are “sold as aslave to sin” (Romans 7:14) in the truest sense of the word.“Good” intentions will not deliver us from this condition, but werequire redemption through Him Who conquered sin. The command“be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans12:2), cannot be obeyed in our own power, but only through closeties with Jesus and by the constant influence of God’s Word on ourmind.The principle mentioned by Goethe in his poem (“Erlkönig”: Kingof the elves) “And if you are unwilling, I will use force”, does nothold for us. We gladly submit ourselves to God’s will as Jesus166