The comment: So God put himself on the same level of his creation just to sacrifice himself for his creation, getting killed by his creation? Just doesn’t add up. Why does God of the go to such levels just to forgive his creations sins? And how about those people who stole or killed or even raped people before the sacrifice, were they also forgiven? Sounds like an unjust God if you ask me.

Response:

I will agree that, according to human logic, it does not make sense that God would give himself to save lowly little us.  In fact, in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Paul agrees that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing in their sins.  What God the Son did for us by coming and dying so that we could have a relationship with God is a kind of love that is not logical by human reasoning, but that is exactly what Jesus did.  This is the beauty of the gospel message.  To a person of the world, this “does not add up.”  My response to this is that it to agree that it does not make sense–it does not add up.  But that is exactly what Philippians 2:3-11 says.  Christ lowered himself, and made himself equal with us human beings. He went even farther than that. He took the form of a slave and suffered a humiliating death for us. Most accusations of non-Christians I am used to trying to refute, but here is a rare example of a “criticism” from a non-believer that I heartily agree with.  The love of God, as expressed in Jesus dying for our sins does not make sense.  But then, the love of a parent for his/her child does not make sense.  Love–true love–does not make sense.

Yes, even the worst of sinners can be forgiven.  Paul called himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), and not without reason, as he had Christians murdered in his Jewish zeal.  But Paul was forgiven.  David committed horrendous sins, and he was forgiven.  I committed great sins as well.  I lied, I stole, I took the virginity from a woman and then moved on. I lusted after women. I disrespected my parents. I did illegal drugs.  Is it “just” for God to give his life to save me?  I guess not, but that is what God has done for us.  So, yes, even killers and rapists can be saved from their sins by the blood of Jesus.  That is the whole point.

John Oakes