Limited Genius

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." Albert Einstein

There is no fear of punishment for the Christian. Rather, that’s what the atheist has to deal with. He is 99% percent sure that there is no God and that Hell doesn't exist. It's the 1% that causes the fear. It's the little hole in his parachute. That fear may be a molehill today, but it will become a mountain just before death. The atheist is indeed, in a "poor way."

But for the Christian, there is no fear at all. Our punishment fell on the Savior, so we are free from the terrors of eternal justice. We are told in Scripture that we can even have "boldness" on the day of Judgment (1 John 4:17).

We can stand before the Judge of the universe knowing that the Law we violated was satisfied with the payment given at the Cross of Calvary. Our case has been dismissed. We won’t be cringing in fear, like the dirty and darkness-loving cockroach, who suddenly finds himself in the brilliant light.

The word "hope" in English is a very weak word. To hope for something leaves room for disappointment. However, in the Greek language, it is much stronger. It means something that is absolutely sure--something that will never disappoint: "...that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:18-19).

He who thinks eternal life is a "reward" for good works in this life may know his physics, but he certainly don't know his Bible.