The Problem

The Problem

Oh man, why does there have to be a problem?

That's my question, too. Well, don't worry, because God solved the problem, and hopefully the following pages explain it in a simple but complete way.

The problem is caused by the disconnect between the nature of God and the condition of mankind. The following two tables show the key attributes of God and, from God's perspective, the condition of mankind.

God's Attributes

Attribute Reference Scripture Comments
Infinite Psalms 139: 7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. This verse simples describes God as infinitely everywhere or—omnipresent.
I Kings 8:27 But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! This verse implies that He is in no way limited by the universe, by this time-space world, or confined to the universe.
Holy Revelation 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come." God is morally pure and perfect. If He were not, He would not be God.

Note that God's attributes do not exist in isolation. For example, because God is infinite and has mercy, He is infinitely merciful. In the case of holiness, because He is both infinite and holy, He is, therefore, infinitely holy. This is important within this discussion.

Now, let's look at the condition of mankind.

Mankind's Condition

Condition Reference Scripture Comments
Finite Romans 9:19-20 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?" But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" This verse indicates that mankind is "formed", i.e. created. This implies that he is finite. Of course, being finite is not a problem, in and of itself. This characteristic of mankind is added here to contrast mankind's finiteness with God's infinity, because it plays a part in the problem.
Sinful Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God This verse declares that all of mankind has fallen short of God's glory. The original meaning of the word "sin" was "missed the mark (bulls-eye)" as used in archery. However, by the first century, the meaning was synonymous with "trespass".
Spiritually separated from God Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death. Depending on the context, the word "death" can mean "separation". For example, physical death is separation of the body from the spirit. Spiritual death means separation of man's spirit from God.

God's Attributes vs. Mankind's Condition

When you consider the two sections above, the attributes of God and the condition of mankind, the following two truths result:

  1. The holiness gap between God and mankind is infinite.
  2. There is no way that finite, sinful mankind can bridge the gap.

The following diagram illustrates this problem.

Why does this matter?

This matters bcause a holy, infinite God cannot co-exist with sinful mankind for eternity. Something would have to change. For example, mankind would have to be made holy by erasing the gap between God and mankind. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Again, no worries, because God Himself solved this problem.

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