What God did... Think of it this way.  Imagine you are in a courtroom, and you are guilty of many serious crimes.  The judge tells you, "It's a fine of $500,000 or prison."  You don't have even close to that amount of money, so the bailiff begins to walk you out of the courtroom.  At this point someone you do not know speaks to the judge on your behalf.  He later tells you that he has paid the $500,000 fine for you.  Now that the fine has been paid, the law no longer has any legal claim on you, even though you never had to pay the penalty for your crime.  You are free, because of the gift you were given. Out of God's love for you, this is what He did for you by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross in your place.  The penalty for your sins is eternal separation from God in hell.  But take a look at the good news of Jesus Christ, according to the Word of God: "That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:15-16). God the Father sent God the Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and pay the penalty of sin that justice demands.  Jesus Christ defeated death by rising from the grave, which proved once and for all that He is God.  If you will repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ, God tells us that He will forgive all of your sins and grant you everlasting life.  Just like the court case we just looked at, if you repent (which means to confess and forsake your sins) and put your trust in Jesus Christ, then you will not have to suffer God's justice in Hell, because the payment for your sins was made by Jesus Christ on the cross. You must accept the gift.  Imagine in our courtroom scene that someone paid your fine on your behalf, but you told the judge that you were not accepting the gift.  The judge would surely sentence you to prison.  In much the same way, if you chose not to accept the free gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ, the Eternal Judge of all men will sentence you to hell.  The Bible tells us, "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). If you are not sure what to pray, read Psalm 51, and make the first 12 verses a model for your prayer.  The words are not mystical, because what God cares about is the attitude of your heart and a true desire on your part to be reconciled to Him.  When you pray, it should sound something like this, "Dear God, I repent of all my sins, such as (name them).  I put my trust in Jesus Christ as Lord (to say Jesus is your Lord means you are now making Jesus the master over your life) and Savior.  Forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen." Now read your Bible daily, and obey what you read.  God's Word never fails. What should you read?  We suggest that you start in the book of John and then read Romans.  Whatever you decide to read, make sure you read God's Word every day.  It is the instruction book for our lives! If we can help you in any way with your faith in Jesus Christ, please contact us today! Contact Us