1. The Holy Bible teaches that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Every one of us is imperfect. We all have a fatal disease called Sin. It is a built-in death warrant in two ways:

1a.) Spiritually we are separated from our Creator.

1b.) Romans 6:23 states “The wages of sin is death.” We will experience physical death which results in an eternal separation from Him.

2. How do I know I’m a sinner? Look at God’s righteous standard: his Law, particularly the Ten Commandments. If you have lied only once even as a child, if you have ever stolen (taken something that is not yours) even a stick of gum you are guilty of breaking his perfect standard. Unlike earthly courts that may let people go for small crimes or have short punishments to rehabilitate them, God has NO compromise. We all will have to answer for the things we did wrong. We can't measure ourselves with others, since we can always find someone who is worse than us. We are to look at Jesus Christ who kept God’s standards (laws) perfectly while living among people like you and me. We measure ourselves by the standard of Christ. Once we do this we find Jesus is the perfect ideal human who we cannot compare to. There is no one else like Him, because He is also God.

Because we are sinful (imperfect) in our conduct we are separated from having a relationship with God. No one is exempt from this.  Isaiah 59:1 states “for your sins have separated you from your God.”

No matter how hard we try to reform we can never reach God's standard. His standard is perfection in everything we do. No human being can achieve this. God is perfect in all his ways. He is just and cannot overlook our sin.  Because we have all rebelled against God we justly deserve punishment.

What must a person do to go to Hell? Nothing; just don’t make a decision. We don't need to do anything to be lost --we are already lost. We don't have to wait until we die to be condemned. John 3:18 says we are already condemned because of our current sinful state. What God wants to do is rescue us from our sure destination.  We are on our way to a permanent separation from God’s blessings which all that live now enjoy: the sky, the air, the flowers, food, enjoying life as an exciting adventure, the experience of love from people, and sharing our thoughts and feelings. Our abilities and talents are all from God. These are all basic blessings from God that everyone now enjoys and uses. James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…”

Jesus Christ is God’s perfect gift. He has come to save sinners. God came from Heaven and became a man to do what no other man could do: save us from the penalty of sin and give us a new lease on life. God’s mercy was initiated by God Himself. He came to set us free from the bondage (chains) that sin has on us. Titus 2:11 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

The Scripture states in John 3:16 

The Gospel is simple enough that even a child can understand it. God “so loved” people that He sent Jesus. He came to die for you and me by taking our penalty in our place. He was completely innocent but willingly took our punishment for sin. He died, was buried in a tomb and three days later He rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) He now lives, and all those who believe this Gospel will also live eternally.

If you can believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again on the third day you will be saved

We must experience the new birth to have a spiritual life now. He restores us to what he intended us for; but we must come the way he has given, not by our own way.

To do this you need to confess that you are a sinner, meaning you agree with God about your sinful spiritual state. It’s hard to admit I am an alcoholic or a drug addict to men. It’s even harder to say I am a sinner to God. Tylenol can cure a headache; antibiotics can cure infections; but only Jesus' shed blood can cure sin.    

You need to realize that there is no other way but His way. You cannot save yourself. “For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) SALVATION is not in any sense a reward for what you do but a free and undeserved gift of love from God. You need to recognize that salvation (forgiveness and being rescued from the consequences of your sin) depends upon your personal acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is God's work on the cross through His Son. It is offered to you freely by His grace. There is no way to earn it. 

To be part of God's eternal family you need to be adopted. Then your relationship will change to him being your friend. You receive the Lord and His forgiveness by faith by asking (praying to) Him, saying something to this effect: “Lord, I realize I have sinned and deserve punishment, but because of your love you sent your Son to take the punishment I deserved by his dying for my sins in my place. I believe Jesus died and rose again on the third day as the scripture states. I believe that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses and forgives me of my sin toward you. I acknowledge this and by faith believe that you will forgive me. Cleanse me now. I receive you, Jesus, as my Lord and savior and I will trust and follow you all of my life.”

Once you have believed, the Holy Spirit (who is God), will come into your heart and work in your life. John 1:12 reads: “But as many as received Him, to them gave the right to become the Children of God, even to those that believe on His name.” 

After placing faith in his death on the cross for your sins, make a willful decision to turn (repent) from your sinful life and follow Him by obeying His Word to see the power of God work in your life. To get familiar with your Lord, start reading about Jesus' life in the Bible, especially the book of John and the 1st epistle of John. I encourage you to find a Bible-believing church to attend so you can grow in your spiritual life with other believers.

You will find this to be the greatest decision of your life. He will make all things new. This is why it is called “born again”; you will have a new beginning.

If you have made this decision, please write and let us know, so we can send some materials to help you begin your new life with the Lord.

                      God bless you

   Let Us Reason Ministries