Good and evil exist. It is in the context of relationships that good and evil are clearly defined. Good, is that which maintains and enriches a relationship. Evil, is the enemy of relationships. Evil is anything that harms a relationship or places it out of proper balance. The choice between doing what is right and what is wrong in the context of relationships is considered a moral choice. Morality is the choice between righteousness and sin.

Moral choices have existed from the creation of mankind. Original Sin was a choice involving the relationship between husband and wife and between humanity and God. As evidenced in this very first instance, the choice to do evil is always destructive and ends in death.

Christ came to provide us a choice that could lead to reconciliation and restoration of our relationship with God. Reconciliation with God not only gives us new life in the here and now, but it gives us eternal life in the hereafter. It also begins the healing of our broken relationships with other people. Christ said, “No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” Christ is the only way to salvation, but it is possible to misunderstand this and believe that only those who have heard of Christ have the opportunity to be saved. This is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Himself.

Jesus said that those who die without hearing His name have the opportunity of salvation through Him. Their opportunity is provided by His judgment. He said that everyone who lived and died would someday hear His voice and would come out of the grave. At that time they would face judgment. It would be a judgment of their moral choices. He will judge them based on their limited knowledge. Did they do good or did they do evil? Did they make moral choices in their relationships? No human is qualified to make such a judgment. However, Jesus is not just human. Jesus is the Son of God and He knows the hearts of mankind; His judgment is righteous.