For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

Are you trustworthy? A test designed by David Pizarro from Cornell University says it can tell.

The test is a simple one. You are standing on a bridge and a runaway trolley car is speeding toward five people. If you push the large man standing next to you onto the track, his body will stop the trolley and save the five. He will die, but five will live.

So, should you push the man off the bridge? Here are your choices:

1. If you say, "Yes, push him off," you are among those who say we should aim to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number of people, even if that means causing hurt to someone. In our example that means one person dies so five might live.

2. If you say, "No, I won't do that because it is always morally wrong for me to take someone's life," then you would be among those who take the "Golden Rule" and the Fifth Commandment at face value.

So, have you decided what you would do?

Shall we make it more interesting? If you could go back in time and assassinate Adolf Hitler before he came to power, would you do that? Just think, getting rid of one man could theoretically save millions. Would you do that?

Now that you've made your choice, I can tell you that Mr. Pizarro says

* his test shows that people generally place greater trust in someone who believes in moral principles, that is, the folks who refuse to push someone off the bridge;

* people will put the highest trust in the person who debates whether he should push the other fellow and then decides not to do it.

Now even though I don't know what you would have done in the test described above, I do know what the Heavenly Father has done.

He has decided His Son would die so you and billions of others might live.

Shortly after humankind sinned, God promised to send Jesus into this world to do all that was necessary, so those who believe on Him as their Savior might be rescued from damnation. To make that promise a reality, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilled the prophecies which identified Him as the world's Redeemer, and gave His life upon the cross. It wasn't fair, but it was what had to happen if we were to live. It's not what you or I would have done, but it is what a gracious God decreed must take place if we were to be forgiven.

Oh, we dare not miss mentioning that three days after Jesus died, He took up His life again and rose from the dead.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is incomprehensible to me that You would send Your perfect Son to die so guilty sinners might live. I don't understand it but I believe it and am thankful for it. May others join me in my gratitude. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Judges 19-21    Luke 16

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