Friend, what brought you here today? Was it random wandering or is something tugging on your heart? Is life easy or are you in distress? Would you call yourself a good person? Do you wonder if there is something more to life than the next purchase, relationship, degree, job, vacation, sporting event, hobby, or whatever?
I was raised in a church. I thought I knew all there was to know about the Bible and God but I didn't live as though it mattered. I figured I was a good person and didn't really need to go any further than that. As I grew older it seemed that there must be something more to life than all my pursuits. Nothing really seemed to satisfy me. I didn't understand what to do about it till some friends of mine invited me back to church. When I went I learned what the Bible really says about my relationship to God.
The Bible makes it clear that there is not one person on this earth who is without sin:
"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. (Psalm 14:1-3, also see Romans 3:10).
Not one person can be justified by their good deeds because not one person is truly without sin. Because of this man is separated from God and will receive physical death while already being spiritually dead. But God, by his grace, made a way for life. That way is Jesus Christ.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
He died, was buried, and came to life again. In His death He paid for our sins. In his life he is the advocate before God for those who love Him. We can't earn this gift because only God has the right to give it and he has given it to us for free. The only condition we have to meet for salvation is to repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ. That's it, the debt of sin is paid in full:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
I know there are those that feel that there are many roads to God. According to the Bible there is only one way:
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
One more important thing: Jesus didn't claim to be a "prophet" or a "wise teacher", Jesus claimed to be God. (Jesus said) "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7). Every person who hears this must decide: Was Jesus a liar or con artist? Was he mentally ill? Or was he who he said he was? According to the Bible the answer to that question and the subsequent response is what separates a person from eternal life and eternity in hell. There is too much at stake for you to not seriously answer the question for yourself.
God drew me to him and brought me to a place where I could finally see the truth that I have shared with you. When I saw how sinful I was and how perfect God's love is I made my choice and I haven't regretted a day since.
My live has purpose and security. In God I have all that I need. I don't fear death because I have a promise from God that I will be with him when this life is done. I don't have to wonder if the Bible is the word of God, He shows it to me every day. I don't wonder if I should forgive others because Jesus forgave me first even though I could never deserve it. I don't have to worry about the trials of life because I know God has a purpose in each one and a time for everything.
Friend, you can have the very same gift right now. God loves you and wants you to have a personal relationship with him. All you need to do is confess your sin to him, believe that Jesus Christ is the savior, and put your faith and trust in him. A simple, quiet prayer is enough.
If you are still not really sure, please take the time come meet and talk to some believers and search in earnest for the truth. We love you too and hope that you will take the time to come meet us.
Sincerely,
Daniel Apel
KBC brother in Christ