Susan MacLeod

I've always believed that people have a right to choose what to believe in whether in religion, politics or any other situation in life. God did not make us robots but gave us free will. The problem is when we do not choose God's ways, we often take action which, in the short or long term, will cause harm to ourselves or others. It may seem appropriate action at the time and sometimes it may be successful, but taking a stance that is not in the will of God can be disasterous! My answer is that we cannot truly be independently free because if we are not serving God and following his ways, living in his will, we can only be slaves to sin, even if that is not intended.

In a world without law, there would be no awareness of sin (except though individual conscience) because there would be no "right" or "wrong". I think of the animal kingdom, where there are no laws as such (except "pack"laws); animals have no conception of right or wrong, unless they are taught it. When law came into being, Man became aware of wrong, or sin. If someone did something which was "against the law", he would face a penalty. Thus, where there is law trespass increases because certain actions have been declared, under the law, to be wrong.

Jesus himself said that it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Likewise a person without sin (there is noone) wouldnt need Jesus. It is so important to know that we as sinners are saved through Jesus -we were the ungodly. We can sin badly and feel condemned but When we understand that Christ died for the ungodly, and we accept him as Lord and Saviour, we know we are forgiven, through him.