Are You Fighting God?

 "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD" (Prov. 21:30, NIV).

If you’ve heard the song, “I fought the law, and the law won!” you may realize that if you fight God, He will always win!

“You may even find yourself fighting against God, “(cf. Acts 5;39, Gamaliel).

On the road to Damascus Jesus confronted Saul that it was "hard for [him] to kick against the goads." (Cf. Acts 26:14, ESV). The NLT says, "... It is useless for you to fight against my will." God's will is stronger than ours--He's the Almighty! He gets His way! His power "works mightily in us" (cf. Col. 1:29). We have a will, but God decided our nature, and we act according to our nature, which God has the power to manipulate.

If everything seems to be against us, perhaps we are going the wrong way ourselves! For God is at work within us, "both to do and to will of His good pleasure" (cf. Phil. 2:13). He will make us willing on the day of salvation (cf. Psalm 110:3). God's will overcomes ours and it is vain and futile to oppose God: "... For who can resist his will?" (Rom. 9:19, ESV).

When God decides to save us, He doesn't just help us to believe (we cannot believe apart from God, as it says in John 15:5 that "apart from [Him] we can do nothing"), but He makes believers out of us (quickening our spirit with faith), by virtue of irresistible grace, called the effectual call of God (cf. Rom. 8:30). When we call someone they may or may not respond, but when God does it, the result is guaranteed and efficacious. Jeremiah proclaims "...[Y]ou are stronger than I and have prevailed..." (Jer. 20:7, ESV). We must not find ourselves contrary to God!

We must not find ourselves contrary to God's revealed or preceptive will (which can be thwarted), because God will find a way to work out His plan regardless: "If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'" (Job 9:12, NIV); "... No one can hold back his hand or say to him: What have you done?" (Dan. 4:35, NIV). God gets His way: "... 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen'" (Isa. 14:24, NIV); "For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him [going against His decreed or secret will]? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isa. 14:27, NIV); and finally, "'Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old, I planned it; now I have brought it to pass...'" (Isa. 37:26, NIV). Even the Gamaliel recognized the futility: "'... You might even be found opposing God!'..." (Acts 5:39, ESV).

God accomplishes His will in us: He will "equip you with every good thing that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight.." (Heb. 13:21, ESV). God will accomplish His will with or without our cooperation, and it is our privilege to be the clay in His hands, our Potter. For this reason, we ought to stop fighting God or kicking against the goads and get with the program. We are made to do His will and this is the only way to find fulfillment (in His will). Our wills follow our minds and God can change our minds and give us a "knowledge of the truth" (cf. 2 Tim. 2:25, NLT).

Isaiah wondered: "O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart so that we fear you not?..." (Isa. 63:17, ESV). God can "uphold [us] with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12, ESV). It is for our own good that we pray the prayer of relinquishment and put ourselves in God's hands, praying that His will be done through us willfully, with our cooperation. Wycliffe's tenet applies: "All things come to pass of necessity," and we must realize God's sovereignty, that He is in complete control, working all things for our good (cf. Rom. 8:28) if we love Him. It is important to know that we are aligned with God's will, to know whose side we're on; it is vain to fight God the Almighty One, for He is stronger than us, His creatures, and there is not even "one maverick molecule in the universe," according to R. C. Sproul!

"...'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will...'" (Acts 22:14, NIV). Christians are exhorted to seek His will and have the unique privilege of knowing it. We also pray in His will and all our prayers are answered if they comply with His will (cf. 1 John 5:14). One petition of the Lord's prayer is for God's will to be done. God's will is laid out to us in Scripture and revealed and illuminated through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Even Paul tells the Greeks: "For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God" (Acts 20:27, NIV). We are responsible for what God has opened our eyes to; to whom " much is given, much is required" is the principle (cf. Luke 12:48).

Jesus said that those who do the will of God are His brother, mother, and sister! (Cf. Matt. 12:50, NIV). And so it is paramount that we seek, know, and do God's will. Why? "... For whoever does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:17, NIV); "you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Heb. 10:36, NIV); "... [That] you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured" (Col. 4:12, NIV).

Note: one reason David was a man after God’s own heart was that he fulfilled all God’s will (cf. Acts 13:36). Soli Deo Gloria!

Is God Beyond Existence?

I’m not quite sure what you mean by “beyond,” but God is above and beyond; He is both transcendent or other-worldly and immanent or nearby and close at hand or His everywhere-ness or ubiquity or omnipresence is obvious. He is God nearby and far away (cf. Jer. 23:23). He fills the heavens and the earth (cf. Jer. 23:24). He is also fully present everywhere and we call that His immensity. He is not far from every one of us! (cf Acts 17:27). And He indwells all believers through His Spirit. (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16). The Scriptures say the heavens cannot contain Him! (cf. 1 Kings 8:27). In Him, we live and move and have our being.” (cf. Acts 17:28).

But His existence itself is called self-existence or aseity. That means He is totally and fully complete in and of Himself needing no one or nothing besides His own self. (cf. Acts 17:25). We are dependent and contingent beings but not God. His presence is surreal in a sense because we cannot comprehend what spirit is and how He can be a Spirit (cf. John 4:24–25). “Canst thou by searching find out God?” (cf. Job 11:7).

“God is not a man,” (cf. Hosea 11:9; 1 Sam. 15:29; Num. 23:19; Job 9:32). We think of persons as having bodies but God has nobody except for in His incarnation or personification in the Personage of Christ, His only begotten Son, who is as real physically as we are; “In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [deity] bodily,” (cf. Col. 2:9).

God is without limit and can't be defined in terms of space, time, or dimension either for He is spirit (cf. John 4:24) without beginning or eternal. Only that which begins to exist can indwell the time-space continuum. He created that and is independent of it just like the rest of His creation. God never began to exist His name I AM says that) which proves He is not an effect, which all have beginnings, but the First Cause as Aristotle reasoned. That’s why His name can be interpreted: I CAUSE TO BE.  Soli Deo Gloria! 

What's The Power Of Love?

 

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I found your question difficult to decipher but these are my thoughts:

“Now, these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” “Love bears all, believes all, hopes all, endures all.” Perfect love also casts out fear! (stronger than the enemy of fear!). I dont’ think it says love conquers all in so many words. But love never fails! (very good to know). Love is simply a stronger and longer-lasting emotion than hate and a better motivator: “Many waters cannot quench love.” “Love covers a multitude of sins.” “Let all you do, do in love.” Note: it was Christ’s love that kept Him on the cross, not the nails!

It is God’s defining trait and describes His relationship with us. Love needs a recipient, a person to express it with! I would say love is strong because it’s God’s will and He is with us as we fulfill Christ’s command to love another even as He has loved us. I believe love is stronger than hate because God is love and one avails himself of godliness and God’s nature. When we are obedient to God, we spread His love and love one another to fulfill the Law. Jesus did sum up the whole Law in the act of love: loving our neighbor as ourselves.

We are to know the love of God in Christ whose love surpasses understanding. We are to be motivated by love and this is not sentimentality or touchy-feely love but the right attitude towards one and not just in words but in deeds and truth. We can do great things but if we have not love they amount to nothing; love is the determining factor of their value.

God conquers all because He is omnipotent (having all power over creation) and the Almighty or El Shaddai, not because He is love. God also hates and has other emotions, He loathes sin and evil and must judge it in His wrath. But this does not define His deity or nature. For instance, God doesn’t let the emotion of hate force Him to immediately cast people into hell; He is also patient with the sinner and desires them to repent and takes no pleasure in their death.

Note: Some think that just because their motive is love (and I do not mean being a people person) that this is all that matters to God. God sees the methods as well as the end results. We cannot get by saying, “O, I meant well!” Christians have no excuse since love is the fruit of the Spirit and should be our calling card to our neighbor. Soli Deo Gloria!

Why Is The God Of Abraham Most Popular?

 

Why is the Abrahamic God the most popular (known) god out of all the rest of the gods?

Karl Broberg, Blogger on worldview, student of philosophy, and researcher.

Answered 6h ago

That’s only because, in the West, Western Civilization or Christendom, became predominant and the Bible has had much influence and impact on culture. The Judeo-Christian worldview still thrives despite growing secularism. Jesus is the most important historical figure in the West. In AD 313, with Constantine’s Edict of Milan, Christianity became a legal religion in the Roman empire and soon thereafter the prevalent one and it spread throughout Europe.

Even today, despite the rise in Secular Humanism, Christianity holds lots of clout in the public square and open marketplace of ideas of the West such as in human rights and moral absolutes. Even the seven-day week and the rule of law are of Christian origin. It is a fact, Common Law in the UK is founded upon the Bible. And most, if not all, major social reform we did was via Christian influence. And many citizens are at least Christian in name only or nominal Christians. It is no coincidence that in the West most people celebrate Christmas in some fashion, even if not Christians themselves.

For example, in courts and in oaths of office we still swear on a Bible. And on our coins, it says, “In God we trust.” In our Pledge of Allegiance, we say the words, “One nation under God.” Yes, Christianity has made its permanent mark on our Euro-centric culture that America assumed especially amongst the founding fathers who were mainly Christians or familiar with it. The Declaration of Independence, says, we are “endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Even on the Liberty Bell, it quotes Leviticus 25:10 to proclaim liberty throughout all the land and unto all the inhabitants thereof!!! All this has a psychological and social impact and contribution to the worldview of the West, especially America.

Now, Islam failed to make any ground in Europe and was literally booted out of Spain and forced into Africa and Asia where it still flourishes. However, now it is the second-largest religion and fastest-growing one there due to immigrants. But Christians do not accept Allah as the same God as the Judeo-Christian one of the Bible despite the fact that Muslims claim to be the children of Abraham.

As far as other gods prevalent in the East (Brahma, Krishna, etc.) like the Hindu ones, remain largely predominant only in India, and Buddhism doesn’t believe in any God as we would know it. Europe had pagan gods such as the Norse gods before these barbarians and heathens became converted to Christianity and “civilized.” (That is not just my judgment of their culture but what contemporaries believed.) Even today, despite its secularism, Christianity is still the official religion in several nations (e.g., Lutheran in Scandinavia, Anglican in England, and Roman Catholic in France and Italy).  Soli Deo Gloria! 

The Goodness Of The LORD

 There is a reason that we are to seek God with all our hearts, soul, and spirit; we will find Him but only because He first sought us. We must have the eyes of our hearts opened and the door of faith by the Almighty Himself.   (cf. Isaiah 65:1.  King David exhorts us to "taste and see, that the LORD is good." (cf. Psalm 34:8).  Once we do, we long to recapture the experience and make it our own  We need to own Christ as our personal Lord.  In other words, put out the fleece for God and put Him to the test as God invited it.  Find out for yourself and don't go by second-hand knowledge but know first hand.  Capture the rapture of knowing God in person.  

It can be problematic trying to recapture that unforgettable encounter with god or even describe it to others.  In a sense, it may be like chasing pots at the ends of mythical rainbows or some will-o-the-wisp. No one can adequately describe God in detail or define Him to our specs or even know Him exhaustively, but we can be content to know Him truly. God wants our faith to be a properly basic belief or one interwoven into our experience and one that cannot be taken away from us.  It becomes a personal thing.   

As Oswald Chambers said, that of maturity is not ecstasy but obedience, we must not base our assurance on our experience though but keep faith in God.   Our own experience with God is unique and personal and we know what God means to us in our own experience  This can be our own experience and differ from the individual.  To know the loved of God that surpasses knowledge!  But it is unforgettable and you associate it with something that remains in your mind and you long for it if you are deprived.  No one has our unique experience and can relate to us in this way.  The LORD is meant to be a heavenly experience but what doesn't mean we always walk on Cloud Nine or on some perpetual religious high as if everything is Pollyanna.  

God is the source of all goodness and all the good we have comes from God, the Supreme Good, as Plato called Him.  Without God's goodness, we couldn't know what goodness is, relate to it nor measure it.  We want to experience the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (cf. Psalm 27:13).  Note that God is good to all in some ways and to some in always.  (cf. Psalm 145:9).  We all deserve a taste of heaven to know what to look forward to and in worship, we gain the experience of a personal encounter with God.  For example, we all experience the love of God sometimes in life. But we must be careful not to seek the benefits without the Benefactor!  To know God is to love him and this is what it's about: love in God. God's love reaches down to us in grace and we reach up to Him in worship.  We thank our Provider for all His provisions. This is only a foretaste of glory in heaven and gives us all the more expectation and hope to live on in aspiration doing His will.  Once we taste, we'll never "settle," we'll want Him and only Him. 

God's goodness is shown in manifold ways: answers to prayer, freedom from fear, deliverance from enemies, protection from evil, healing of broken hearts, consolation in loss and grievance, encouragement in depression, comfort in trouble and pain, victory over sin, power over sin, provision of needs, the taste of glory, justification in condemnation, presence in loneliness, and healing of broken hearts. God promises that our afflictions will never overwhelm us or overcome us as we can pass through the fire and not be burned (cf. Isaiah 43:2).  

Our Christian experience isn't just about the bye-and bye or hope in the future but in the here and now as we are called to live the more abundant life of flourishing in Christ as He prospers us and gives us success in all we do in His name and even provides the means and needs for them.  Our eternal life doesn't begin in eternity but now upon salvation (cf.. John 3:36; 5:24). We learn on a daily basis what it means to experience the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (cf. Psalm 27:13). 

Our salvation is in three tenses: we are saved from the penalty of sin, we are being delivered from the power of sin, and we shall be delivered from the presence of sin.  Our past is forgotten and forgiven, or present is given meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, and our future is secured! How much more could goodness be than that blessed hope and salvation?  "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" (cf. Heb. 2:3).   Soli Deo Gloria!

Why Does God Allow Evil Like COVID-19?

“Oh, the depth of both the riches and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out!” (cf. Romans 11:33).
“Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong?” (cf. Job 36:23).
“… Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (cf. Job 9:12).
“.. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘Wha have you done?’” (cf. Daniel 4:35).
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD do all these things,” (cf. Isaiah 45:9).

Disaster doesn’t just come to India, but to all people for no one is immune from the judgment of God. Job suffered evil at the devil’s doing unjustly and he still didn't fault God. Who are we to blame God? “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (cf. Gen. 18:25).

We are to pray for God’s protection, a hedge of protection, or a shield to be delivered from evil as in the Lord’s Prayer. God didn't spare His own Son from evil and even Christians are not immune. Our God knows suffering first hand from what He suffered on the cross- if ever there was unwarranted evil that was it. But I suppose the Hindus would attribute this evil to karma. After a disaster, Jesus’ disciples wondered if they had deserved it: “Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish.” (cf. Luke 13:5).

But God is too deep to understand too kind to be cruel and too wise to do wrong or make mistakes. We are to note that God only allows short-term evil for long-term good. And all evil brings the opportunity for good to be seen in men. The ultimate question is not why evil? but why good? We deserve no mercy at all from God. If we did it would be justice. God reserves the right to have mercy on whom He will (cf. Romans 9:15,18).

Don’t think that this is the way God originally created the earth when He said “it was very good.” Sin and evil entered the picture. Satan has some effect on nature too but only with God’s permission—look at the calamities that happened to Job. Even though evil does happen, God’s guiding hand is there to filter anything contrary to His plan and will. In sum, note that God never explained Himself to Job or give him the answer he was looking for, but only revealed Himself; the answer wasn’t, “Why?” but “Who?” (God owes no one an explanation!). Note that the same sun melts the butter hardens the clay; some become bitter, some better!

In sum, a word to the wise is sufficient: We dare not ask God why is there so much evil in this fallen world (if there is a God), but why is there so much good (if there is no God)? Soli Deo Gloria! 

The Obedient Believer Part I

The Obedient Believer Part II

 "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him"  (Acts 5:32, ESV).

"[T]eaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matt. 28:20, ESV). 
"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal [not temporary, probationary, nor provisional!] salvation to all who obey him" (Heb. 5:9, ESV).  
"For they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (Rom. 10:16, ESV).
"[I]n flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus"  (2 Thess. 1:8, ESV).

"... [A]nd a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith"  (Acts 6:7, ESV).  Unbelievers are called "sons of disobedience" in Eph. 2:2 and God delights in obedience:  "To obey is better than sacrifice..." (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22).  Jesus said that you cannot love Him and be disobedient, for if we love Him we will obey Him as the proof of the pudding.  Christ doesn't give suggestions, hints, or good advice, but commands!  He instituted two ordinances to be done in His name and memory (baptism and communion).  Jesus said, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me..."  (John 14:21, ESV).  What are these commands that are so pivotal to our salvation being fulfilled?

Jesus did say that His yoke is easy and His burden is light in Matt. 11:30, and John said in 1 John 5:3 that His "commands are not burdensome."  "And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us"  (1 John 3:23, ESV). Note that in the Upper Room Jesus instigated a new command:  to love one another as Christ has loved us.  He who loves another has fulfilled the Law!  Paul says in Gal. 5:6 (NIV) that the only thing that matters is "faith expressing itself through love."

At the Bema or tribunal of Christ, our works will be judged, not our shortcomings and mistakes or sins, because they were judged at the cross, and this includes sins of omission.  If Jesus commanded us to do something and we fail, it's a sin of omission.  He is not going to inquire as to what school of theology or denomination we subscribed to, but will be interested in granting us rewards for the deeds done in the Spirit--the ones done in the energy of the flesh will be burned as wood, hay, and stubble in a fire (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-13).  Sin can be defined as knowing the right thing to do and falling short or not doing it.  There is a legitimate place for ignorance if it's not willful.

There is a danger in sectarian pride and bias, such as feeling you're right and everyone else is wrong or disobedient to the Word of Truth.  Churches aren't saved en masse, but members individually as if going through a turnstile one at a time.  A good believing and faithful Lutheran has the edge over a disobedient Baptist because churches don't save and aren't necessary for salvation, as Roman Catholics espouse, Christ alone is the Savior.  However, it is important to remain faithful to the faith you were taught and to abide in the truth without apostasy or heresy.  A church is a cult when they get exclusive and think they have a monopoly on the truth, or think they are superior to other churches or denominations.

The real reason we get baptized is that we are disciples who desire to follow our Lord and His example in baptism to inaugurate or make our testimony official and public.  We should never feel that it is just a hurdle to jump over or test to pass to get accepted and that we "have to do it for salvation."  Grace-oriented believers never feel they "have to" but that they "get to" or "want to" obey their Lord and do as He did, following in His steps.  Baptism is a chance in a lifetime to get on track and give your testimony in public in order to be welcomed with "the right hand of fellowship" per Gal. 2:9 (ESV).

There are many measures and standards of obedience, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes: "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him"  (Acts 5:32, ESV).   Whether we pray regularly and walk in the Spirit, abide in the Word, witness and fellowship and worship through association with the body of Christ are also crucial factors to weigh and consider.

You cannot say that Baptists are the obedient believers because they are correct in this ordinance (i.e., baptism), while Lutherans are disobedient.   There are way too many aspects of obedience to just label believers like that due to sectarian bias.  As Paul says in Rom. 1:5 that he wants to "bring about the obedience of the faith," he is primarily concerned with the entirety of the person's walk--the whole package, net effect, or sum total and result.

The church needs to fulfill the Great Commission to be obedient as a body, though individuals can do it, it's usually a joint and cooperative effort to evangelize, preach, teach, baptize, and disciple.   As Jesus said, "To whom much is given, much is required."    But teachers are especially responsible for disseminating sound doctrine and being good examples to the flock.  Soli Deo Gloria!

The Neccessity Of The Crucifixion...

 "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other," (cf. Psalm 85:10, NIV). 

"All things come to pass of necessity."  (John Wycliffe). 

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene to be delivered from His forthcoming Passion if at all possible, but nevertheless conceding and relinquishing to the Father's will and plan from all eternity.  Jesus willingly and obediently went to His death and had both the power to lay down His life and to take it up again, even choosing the exact moment He expired (cf. John 10:17-18).  In other words, He chose to die for us and wasn't forced into it--it would be on His terms.

Jesus had prophesied of His blood being necessary for the New Covenant (as the blood of the covenant (cf. Matt. 26:28) to take effect as the Testator. In the Old Covenant, there had been a constant reminder of sin and continual sacrifices were necessary to look forward to His crucifixion in God's eyes.   It is necessary in wills and testaments for the death of the testator to put it in effect. Jesus' blood sealed the deal!   If the blood of Abel spoke volumes to God then how much more the very blood of the perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Note that only Christ qualified to foot the bill and pay the price.

Our salvation is free to us, but not cheap, it cost Jesus everything He had and we must surrender our all to Him as Lord of our lives Jesus made His sacrifice to end all sacrifices because it was perfect and of infinite value.  Therefore it was sufficient to redeem all of us of our sins. When He said, "Tetelestai," or "It is finished [paid in full]" it meant that Christ's work was done: salvation was now a done deal!  Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and even if we gave all we could or have, it would not be enough to satisfy the wrath of God--He is God's Suffering Servant.  But our best is not good enough! The only reason the cross accomplished the righteousness of God is that Jesus is God as well as man and died in our place for what we deserved. 

All of us are as bad off,, but not as bad, as we can be spiritually or in dire straits in God's eyes and our righteousness is as filthy rags to Him. All of our righteousness is His gift to us, not our gift to Him.  We have nothing to offer Him but brokenness and strife (the sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart). In other words, we are bankrupt in God's economy and must appeal for mercy and grace; not getting what we do deserve (hell) and getting what we don't deserve (heaven).  Good for us that Christ thought that He would rather have us than his life.  We are "to die for!" We must reckon this in light of the fact that God didn't owe us salvation and didn't need to satisfy His holiness and it would've been just to condemn every sinner.  It's the mercy and grace of God that He had mercy on anyone at all. 

We mock Christ and belittle His Passion when we try to earn our way to heaven, especially by keeping the Law.  "If righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died in vain." (cf. Gal. 2:21). In fact, if we rely on the Law for righteousness, we are under a curse (cf. Gal. 3:10).   None of us is capable of abiding by the perfect Law of God and need someone to obey it for us and be our Substitute.  God accepts vicarious obedience! Jesus didn't just do a good deed in dying for people but took on our full penalty due us for our sins and became sin for us, but not a sinner.   As Isaiah 53 says, He was crushed for our iniquities, bruised for our transgressions, and by His stripes, we are healed.

Christ didn't just die to be our example, though we are to follow in His steps (cf. 1 Pet. 2:21) nor was it just a moral example or lesson from God of Him exercising justice in some kind of moral universe to teach us some lesson.  It was necessary for Him to suffer these things and then enter into His glory, as He said.  Jesus wasn't just some martyr and champion for a good cause either!   The concept that the crucifixion was just to satisfy God's government of the world to see that justice is served is also erroneous because it would only exhibit God's righteousness but not save anyone.  Christ was no innocent victim either who got trapped or tricked by the wicked Pharisees and Pilate.  But "He became obedient to the point of death,"  (cf. Phil. 2:8). He never asked us to feel sorry for Him but to believe in Him.  And Christ's death was no accident of history either or some fluke of injustice, for He was guilty in the sense that He was assuming our sins.

And God planned this event from all eternity and even used the evildoers to do it, though it was still voluntary, they did as written of the including Judas (cf. Acts 2;23:4:28): "This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge," "They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."  Christ didn't deserve the cross as if He had done anything wrong and it was His karma or was reaping what He sowed. But the reality or truth is that "the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all," (cf. Isaiah 53:6).  Crucifixion wasn't even an honorable way to die and this concept is rejected by Muslims as being too repugnant and undignified for God. 

Some will say that since God is love, He should freely forgive us; however, He is also just and holy and sin offends Him and its price needs to be paid; death  God did show His love by laying down His life while we were incapable of any righteousness of our own. We are all born "in Adam," or in solidarity with him and under condemnation as we are not only sinners, but it's our nature, birthright, and freewill choice to sin.  If Christ had not died and also conquered death by rising from the dead we'd still be in our sins! Christ paid our full and due penalty and the only thing we contribute is our sin and need.  We reckon that God is now both just and justifier (cf. Romans 3:26). 

The climax and central fact of history is the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Christ. If this is not as God tells us it is the biggest and cruelest hoax in history, but if true it's the most wonderful truth, even in that we now know what love is; that Jesus laid down His life for us. (cf. 1 John 3:16).  Soli Deo Gloria!