Can God Save Those Who Violate His Commandments?
One of the most profound questions that can arise in Christian theology is whether God can or will save those who violate his commandments.
Understanding the Human Imperfection
No one can perfectly keep the Ten Commandments. Jesus illustrated this in the beatitudes: ‘You have heard that our ancestors were told, “You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.” But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! ’ (Matthew 5:21-22, NLT). This passage is a clear indication that even the most stringent commandments fall short of human perfection. Therefore, it stands to reason that the provision of salvation is meant for all lawbreakers. Salvation was designed for commandment violators, not as a condition for moral perfection but as a means to help humans do and be better.
The Necessity of Forgiveness
According to most Christians, the answer is a resounding yes. However, this raises many intriguing questions. If God wants to forgive us, why doesn't He just forgive us without the need for redemption? Why was the torture and death of an innocent person, specifically Jesus, required for forgiveness? What exactly is God saving us from?
For most Christians, the answer is that God is saving us from the consequences of sin. However, it is God who determines what constitutes a sin and what the consequences will be. This can sound more like a Mafia shakedown than the act of a benevolent deity. Hence, the famous atheist joke, “God sacrificed himself to himself to save us from himself.”
Simplifying the Commandments
Interestingly, many Christian believers see the Ten Commandments as unnecessary for true spiritual life. Jesus summarized the essence of the law in two laws: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is alike: You must love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39, NLT). The problem is that although we want to keep these commandments, we often fall short of perfection and must ask for forgiveness.
The Role of Sacrifice in Salvation
Before Jesus came, God allowed animal sacrifices as temporary and one-time solutions. Jesus, however, was a one-time sacrifice. He laid down his life for all of us, and his death provided forgiveness for all of our sins. However, accepting Jesus is crucial for this forgiveness to take effect.
It's impossible for one person to break or keep all of the commandments. Some commandments are only for men, some only for women, some only for priests, and some for non-priests. Understanding that salvation is about love and forgiveness rather than perfect obedience is a crucial shift in perspective for many Christians.