God's word, the Bible, tells us how. Let's take a look...

First you have to hear and understand the bad news, that is, you have to agree with God on one simple point - you are a sinner. What does that mean? To sin is to go against the will of God.

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, God says in chapter 6, verse 5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". And again in chapter 8, verse 21 "...for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth". Also, in the book of Romans 3:10 the Apostle Paul writes "There is none righteous, no, not one".

Just look at the world around you and you can verify those things. Now, look at yourself.

Have you ever taken something that didn't belong to you? Really think about that for a minute... If you answer yes what does that make you? Well, if you've taken something, anything, that didn't belong to you then you are a thief.

Have you ever told a lie? What do you call someone who tells lies? A liar.

How about this - have you ever, in your life, had a physical relationship with anyone other than your spouse? If so, you've committed what the Bible calls adultery, even if you've never been married. Now, let's take that one step further. Maybe you're not guilty of a physical relationship, but have you ever looked at another person and thought about what it would be like if you could have that physical connection? In Matthew 5:28 Jesus states that "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart".

Now if you are guilty of just those things that makes you a lying, thieving, adulterer and that's only three of God's Ten Commandments!

Many people say "I'm really a good person. I've never killed anyone or stolen anything. Surely a loving God will consider all the good I've done and overlook any of the bad."

Let's apply that line of thinking to a court room. The accussed is charged with murder. He took the life of a co-worker during an argument about money. There is no doubt that he is guilty of this crime, there were several eye witnesses to the act. His defense attorney then talks about all the good things this man has done. He's never gotten a ticket for anything - speeding, parking - nothing. He is a husband to one wife, and the father of three children, all of whom love him very much. He is active in his church and his community. He often volunteers his time for various charitable organizations and gives a great deal of money to those in need. This truly is a "good man".

What would you do if you were the judge in this case? The law was broken and a life has been lost, but the accused has done many, many more good things than the one bad thing he is guilty of. Would you let him go free? Justice, and the law, demands he be punished for his crime.

Justice is getting what you deserve.

God Almighty, the creator of Heaven and earth is a righteous and holy God. He has set up His standard - the Ten Commandments - and He expects us to live by them. But because of the sinful and rebellious nature of our hearts we choose to live life on our own terms.

Now, can a Holy God overlook blatant, willful disobedience to His law even if the disobedient one is you? And, by the way, it is you...

No, He can not.

Again - ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Not a few, not just others, but ALL, including you.

What happens to people who break the law? There is a sentence that must be carried out. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 "the wages of sin is death". Wages are the earnings you receive for the things you've done. We have all earned death, even you.

Justice is getting what you deserve.

The Bible also says in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment". You see, everyone who has ever lived has also died. It has happened and will happen to everyone who was ever born. Even Jesus died once. But then the judgement. That is a time when the actions of your life will be judged. And it's not a balance between the good and bad things you've done, but a comparison of your words, thoughts and actions against God's standard. You will be found guilty - everyone will.

God knows that it is not within our "human" nature to be obedient. But God, who created us out of the dust of the earth, also loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish after death. So He made a way for us to be saved from our sin. That way is through Jesus, the Christ or Messiah, the only Son of the living God.

Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve.

Yes, Jesus died. But He did that out of obedience to His Father, God. And when God judged Him, Jesus was found to be perfect in every way so three days after His death and burial God raised Him from the dead! How is that good news for you? God invites us - you and me - to partake in Christ's righteousness. To be cleansed from our sin through the blood of Jesus!

Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don't deserve.

We all deserve to go to hell, but because of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross He paid the debt we owe for our sins. He received those wages in his own suffering and death. And when God raised Him from the dead He invited us to accept the gift of life through Christ's blood.

"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:36 & 29 combined

I know this sounds confusing, so lets use God's own words to help make it clear:

• Romans 3:10 "There is none righteous, no, not one"
• Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
• Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
• Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
• Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"
• Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Salvation is a gift from God. He loves you and doesn't want you to be separated from Him for eternity. God doesn't want you to go to hell, but the choice is yours. You can accept the gift or reject it.

If you choose to accept it you just need to pray this simple prayer:
"Lord God, I know that I'm a sinner deserving of death and hell. Lord God, please forgive me of my sins. I ask You to cover my sins with the blood of Jesus and make me white as snow. Lord God, I repent of my sinful past and ask You, Jesus, to be the Lord of my life from this moment on. I invite your Holy Spirit to live in me and make me a new person in You. Thank you God for hearing my prayer, in Christ's name. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, and you believe the Jesus died for your sins and was raised to life, then you are now a child of God. Welcome to the family!

Now, don't think for a moment that this is an easy thing. You need to find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church where you live and start reading the Bible. Through fellowship with other believers and personal Bible study God will help you live a life that is pleasing to Him.

May God bless you on your journey to Heaven!

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