Introduction – This paper was written by a retired high school and college mathematics instructor. It was not written or produced by any particular church or denomination. It is provided free of charge as an expression of God’s love for mankind.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6 KJV). Contrary to popular opinion, there are not many ways to heaven. There aren't even two. There is only one way to Heaven, and His Name is Jesus. In John 10:1, Jesus described those who attempt to enter some other way as thieves and robbers. The apostle Paul made it very clear in First Timothy chapter two: "⁵For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ⁶Who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV). Romans 8:34 tells us it is Christ that died and rose again, and it is Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us. Christ alone is our mediator. Nowhere in scripture are we instructed to worship or pray to Mary, saints, ancestors, angels, religious leaders, icons, relics, statues, or symbols. The Bible condemns idolatry of any form. Don't even worship a statue or image of Christ. Don't worship the symbol of the cross. Worship Christ. Call upon His blessed Name and pray to Him!

God is holy, and our wickedness separates us from God. The prophet Isaiah said, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). He chooses not to hear us. God not only sees our actions, but He knows our thoughts and the very intent of our heart.

In the history of the world, there has only been one good person, Jesus. Christ was tempted in all points common to man, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). All the rest of us are sinners. The historical record gives ample testimony to the idea that mankind is not basically good. The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

Are you a good person? Have you ever lied? What do you call someone who has lied? Commandment nine says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" (Exodus 20:16 KJV). Revelation 21:8 says that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire.

Did you ever steal anything? Are you a thief? Commandment eight says, "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15 KJV). First Corinthians 6:10 says thieves will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever said God's Name in vain or used His Name as a curse word? Commandment three says, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Exodus 20:7 KJV). You commit blasphemy when you fail to reverence the Name of God.

Commandment seven says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14 KJV), but Jesus raised the issue to another level, when He asked if you have ever looked at someone with a lustful eye. Jesus said that we also sin in our thoughts and imagination. He said, "²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28 KJV). The Bible also condemns all other kinds of sexual impurity.

Large or small, sin is sin. The Bible says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10 KJV). We are all sufficiently lost and spiritually dead in our sins. We have all lived less than glorious lives: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 KJV).

You may not believe in eternal life, but what you and I believe changes absolutely nothing. The Bible says, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27 KJV).

"¹¹And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹²And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. ¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15 KJV).

If it seems impossible to obey all the commandments and laws set forth in the Bible, it is quite impossible. The apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20 KJV). In the flesh, we cannot attain holiness. Man cannot be justified by the law, because he does not obey it. The law reveals our sinful nature and our need of redemption. First John 1:8-9 (KJV) tells us, "⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Jesus paid the full price for our redemption. He was the perfect, sinless sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:14). John chapter ten tells us that Christ was the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. The prophet Isaiah said, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6 KJV). You may have "done your own thing" in opposition to God's design, but it is possible to "have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7 KJV).

Eternal hope can only be found in Christ. We can only be saved by His marvelous grace (unmerited favor): "⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). Listen to this extraordinary promise: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13 KJV).

You may be in a pit of sin, addiction, or spiritual bondage. I'm not going to suggest that you just try a little harder to pull yourself up. You need God's help, you need to call upon the mighty name of Jesus. Cry out in repentance and commitment to Him. Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36 KJV). He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Sadly, many people do not come to the Lord because they don't feel like they are ever good enough. Perhaps you are ashamed of things you did years ago. God knows about everything you have done or thought about doing, but He says, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32 KJV). He may be standing at the door of your heart this very moment.

If the Spirit of God is speaking to you today, then today is your day of salvation.  Second Corinthians 6:2 says that at just the right time, God heard you.  If you cry out to God, He will hear you.  On the day of salvation, He will help you.  He will send the Holy Spirit to guide you and draw you to Him.  Certainly, the "right time" is now.  Today is the day of salvation!  There is no guarantee of tomorrow.  Your heart may become hard and your ears deaf to His call.  Today, if you are fortunate enough to hear His voice, I urge you to say yes to Christ and His love.

You can experience a spiritual rebirth today.  Romans 10:9 (KJV) says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” 

Will you pray today and begin your journey with Christ?  “Lord Jesus, I confess with my mouth today that You are the only begotten Son of the living God.  I repent and turn from my sins.  I believe that You died on the cross to save me from my punishment, and I receive You as Savior and Lord of my life.  Please help me to grow in Your fellowship and serve You all the days of my life.  I ask these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer today from your heart, then you have become a child of God.  You have been born again, and your adventure with Christ begins.  Read the Bible each day, beginning with the book of John.  Talk to God each day, and ask for His help.  Find a church that loves Jesus, loves people, worships God with enthusiasm, and teaches the Bible.  They will help and encourage you on your journey with Christ.

May God bless you,