If Socrates can't figure it out, what hope do I have?

"It may be that the Deity can forgive sins, but I do not see how."
- Socrates, to Plato, 500 B.C.

Even then the question of "how can a just God forgive the sins of men?" troubled the greatest minds.

This problem is still around today with many Christians and non-Christiansans alike, trying to earn theforgivenessess somehow. Living the best and most Christ-like lives they can, serving the poor, loving theneighbor'surs, keeping the ten Commandments etc. The result after all their efforts is a tired, wornout and frustrated people who know in their hearts that they will never be good enough. Trying in vain to save themselves through legalism.

Where then can any of us look in order to have our sins forgiven?

The answer can only be found through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Grace.

The Gospel is...
not a code of ethics or morals;
not a creed to be accepted;
not a system of religion to be adhered to;
not even good advice to follow.
It is a message concerning a divine Person.

What the Gospel is can be clearly found in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures:"

1. It is important that Jesus "died for our sins according the scriptures" - both in referencence prophesies about the Messiah and also that sins needed blood in order to be forgiven.
2. It is important that Jesus "was buried" - in reference to baptism as a symbol of following Christ and dying to our own sinful nature.
3. It is important that Jesus "rose again on the third day according to the scriptures" - defeating death, so that we might have life.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) did the father say "My son has become good"? No! when his son returned he cried "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, andis found!"

Christ, our heavenly father did not come to make bad men good; but to give dead men
life! A dead man can't save himself no matter how much he may try.

And it is only by His Grace that Jesus did die for any of us.

G.R.A.C.E. (God's Riches At Christ's Expoence) - Hal Lindsey

The unmerited favour Jesus showed when he died for the sins of his people is amazing. We didn't and never will deserve His sacrifice but He gave His life for ours as the offering for our sin anyway. Romans 6:23 says that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." He paid the price for my sin so that i could come to know Him, and share in His eternal Life in heaven.

It is also interesting to note that the Dark Ages, a period in history from about (590 - 1500 A.D), occured during a time when the church lost sight of the light and truth of Gods Grace and fell into a system of legalism. The Dark Ages then ended at the same time the 95 Thesis by Martin Luther (1517) was written and the 'light' of God's Grace came back to the church.