Bikes need tires to get people where they want to go! Houses need doors so we can get in and out. If those things are missing, bikes and houses won't really work like they are supposed to. That's obvious!
But what's not so obvious is that most people are missing something that they really need. On the outside, they look like everyone else, because what's missing is inside! Thankfully, in his guidebook, the Bible, God tells us what to do about that.
How did it happen?
The problem starts with something that is already in us. The Bible calls it "sin." It tells us that "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23)! Sins are things that get us in trouble with parents, teachers, and even sometimes our friends...like saying or doing something mean or hateful. Things like telling a lie or losing our temper. Those kinds of activities often have consequences that we don't like.
What's worse is that our sins have consequences with God. The Bible says that our sins "have made a separation" between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). If nothing is done about them, not only will we miss knowing God in this life, we will spend "forever" separated from him.
That's not what God wants to happen. He wants us to become sons and daughters in his "family." He wants us to have a full life that only he can help us live. Then he wants us to spend forever with him in heaven when our life on earth is over. Since we can't undo our own sins, there's no way we can earn God's forgiveness. It's too late for that. So Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to earth 2000 years ago to be a human and live a totally sinless life. God agreed for him to take the punishment for the sins of every person who will ever live on earth. That includes you!
The Bible puts it this way: "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (Romans 5:8, John 3:16). Jesus "came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15)...that's us! Jesus died, then he came back to life three days later!
What can you do about it?
The Bible says that "everyone who believes in [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sin ....whoever believes in the Son has eternal life" (Acts 10:43, John 3:36). God is ready to forgive your sins and give you "the gift of God"--eternal life (Ephesians 2:8)! To those who believe that Jesus died for them, God gives "the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)!
"Believing" means that you agree that you've sinned against God by the bad things you've said, thought, and done. And that you believe that God's way is the only way to have his forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life.
If you really believe that God's only Son, Jesus, died for you, you can tell him in your own words, in a prayer like this:
"Dear God, I know I'm a sinner. I believe that your Son Jesus died in my place. I am trusting you to forgive my sins and to give me life that lasts forever. Thank you for letting your son die to make this possible for me!"
People who don't believe that Jesus died for them will never fulfill God's purposes for their lives. But Jesus said his purpose is that those who trust in him will "have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10)! Is something missing in your life? It can only be filled by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving God's amazing gift of eternal life!
