A driver going sixty-five miles per hour down the highway encounters a man holding a big cardboard sign and furiously waving. The sign reads, "Bridge collapsed ahead." The driver, not taking the man's warnings seriously, continues thinking only of all that's going on in his life and everything that he needs to accomplish that day. Dismissing the warning as unimportant he plows on ahead and plunges to his death. Such is the case of a person who is so caught up in life that he does not slow down to consider that his soul is in great danger. You do not know when you will come to the end of your road—it could be very abrupt and unexpected . If your soul is not right with God, you will plunge to an eternity in hell and the time for changing your mind will have passed.

You may want to be neutral, but there are some things you can't be neutral about—the importance of food, water, sleep, and light for instance. More importantly, however, you cannot be neutral when it comes to your standing before God. Christ Himself said, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matthew 12:30). You cannot be indifferent to the gospel once you have heard it. Every exposure to it only increases your responsibility and your guilt if you refuse it. Realize, however, that it is also another reminder of God's longing for you to receive His salvation.

Have you ever seen a nicely formed pile of small twigs and straw? The center is hollowed out and very smooth. It may be anchored firmly into the crotch of a tree or maybe even to a beam under your deck. Did the wind randomly blow these things into place so perfectly? Of course not! Anyone can recognize that a bird built this nest. In the same way, a dam gives evidence of a beaver, and a house gives evidence of a builder. How is it that the most amazing things in this world are not recognized as being made by a creator? Even the Bible says, "For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4)

The universe and mankind came into being by some means. Evolution is the only alternative to a creator, and evolution has not answered how matter came into being, how life came from non-life, and it has not produced evidence that one kind of animal has ever evolved into another kind.

You are correct. No one can prove God exists, but there is sufficient evidence to know there is a creator of all things. Even the Bible says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). People have no excuse for not knowing there is a God.

It is important to understand that many people simply do not want to believe in God. To do so would mean that there is a higher authority to whom they are accountable. For people with this attitude there is no proof they would accept. They would sooner believe in aliens or magic than in a God to whom they are responsible. But if you accept the evidence around you that a creator exists, you have a duty to seek God. Who is God, and what does God require of you?

Please consider this with all seriousness. If one exists who is powerful enough to create the universe and mankind, does it not make sense that he would provide a way for us to know about him? Many religions have what they consider sacred writings — instructions from God. The Bible stands apart as the word of God given through the writings of men. It claims about itself, "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20, 21). In the Bible we see a consistency of its message though written by the hands of over forty men from all walks of life over a period of 1500 years. You may have preconceived ideas about the God of the Bible. It may bring thoughts of a grandfatherly type in white robes, surrounded by angels playing harps. Forget this false image. Seek to know the true God and you will find him. The Bible promises this also. "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

How can I be so sure God exists? Let me put it this way. During sleep, we often dream and are convinced that what we are experiencing is real. Yet when we are awake we know for a fact that we are now in reality. I have believed the gospel of God regarding the forgiveness of sins that is offered through faith in the Son of God. Man would not come up with such a plan. I saw it as a gracious thing that only God would do. Having believed this, it was like waking and finally knowing the realm of reality. I have found the word of God to be reliable in its fulfilled prophesies, and true in all the things it teaches about God, about man, about matters of this life, and much more. We cannot prove to others that God exists, but there is a multitude of evidence to convince any who is truly seeking God.

Please see the article, What is the Gospel?

Have you kept all of God's commandments? What about Matthew 22:37-39:

"Jesus said to him," You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment."

God says, "There is none righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10).

Please read the article titled, Is Everyone Sinful?

Violin players do not tune their instruments from each other, but from the piano. Builders constantly use the plumb line, the level, and the square. We need to live by standards—not comparisons. Nobody can claim health because he feels better than another diabetic or is stronger than another cancer victim. In order to know how good or bad you are according to God's standard, you must measure yourself by Jesus Christ.

Please read the article titled, Is Everyone Sinful?

Religion will never get you to heaven. The only thing that can is a relationship with the only true God. This relationship is made possible through Jesus Christ alone and His payment for our sins on the cross.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

We also read, "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Religion takes many, many different shapes—but they all amount to the same thing. They put a man in a position in which he feels that he is about as good as other people, and at least as well off spiritually as them. He simply must do his best, according to his knowledge and light, to obey certain rules. He will continue to improve, no doubt, and perhaps at his death he may get into heaven—possibly by the assistance of a clergyman or by some remarkable experience that he may undergo in the use of sacraments.

No, no! True faith in Christ gives a man a complete, full, free, irreversible pardon of all his sins at once. His nature is changed; new life is implanted within him. He is placed into the family of God. By faith, he knows that he has all these blessings, and he consciously enjoys them, living in their power, while humbly serving the Lord who has done such great things for him.

Unfortunately, there will be many religious people in hell. Jesus warned the crowds who were listening to Him: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven." He gave examples of folks who did various good things using His name, and said, "Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me." (Read Matthew 7: 20-29)

The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23 ) The term used there in the Greek (in which the Bible was originally written) is that of an archer who "falls short" or misses the target. No one would say that a shot was "good enough" if the archer missed the target. True, he may have come closer than the next fellow, but he still has missed the target. Unless you have hit the "bull's-eye" of God's perfect standard, you are just as lost as a murderer or a thief.

Please read the article Is Everyone Sinful?

Have you succeeded? Take today—have you done the best you could in everything? How long have you been trying? How long do you suppose it will take you to make yourself fit for heaven? Suppose you were to die this very day? The best thing you can do is to acknowledge that you cannot do anything to save yourself—except believe. Christ said in John 3:36, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Please read the article How Is a Person Saved?

TRUE OR FALSE: "[The Lord] is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

TRUE OR FALSE: "God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready. He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons; He makes His arrows fiery shafts." (Psalm 7:11-13)

Both statements are in the Bible; both statements are true. God, being a just God, cannot overlook sin. In His mercy He has provided a way for man to be forgiven of his sins and enter into a loving relationship with Him. He leaves each man, woman, and child with the decision—"Will I accept God's offer of salvation, or not?" While each person is free to make his own choice, he cannot choose the consequences of his decision. Heaven awaits those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Hell is the destiny of those who reject Him.

Jesus came to save all sinners. The apostle Paul wrote:

"This is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life"
(I Timothy 1:15,16).

Jesus Himself said "the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37).

Please read the article titled Am I Too Far Gone To Be Saved?

Sadly, it is true that there are many hypocrites, but that should in no way interfere with your coming to believe the truth of Christ.

Please read the article titled So Many Hypocrites!

Sadly, this may be true. Is that any reason, however, to turn your back on God and insult Christ, who laid down His life for you? God does not ask you to put your faith in people—that would always leave you disappointed because people are imperfect. God tells you to put your faith in Christ and in the work of salvation He accomplished on the cross. When we realize how much we have been forgiven by God, it is easier to forgive others who have wronged us.

Injustice is sin. Would God be guilty of sin? The answer to the question lies in understanding God's absolute standard of sinlessness, and yet His incredible love and grace.

You will find this thoroughly explained in the article Is Everyone Sinful?

If we lament "giving up" something, it is simply because we do not yet understand the true value of that which we would gain. A child may cry when asked to relinquish a block of wood in exchange for a finely-crafted toy. God gradually changes the heart of His child to realize that only what comes from Him has true and lasting value.

In Christ's own words, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36,37)

The fact is that you are making your decision right now. Every time you say "no" to God's offer of salvation through Christ, it is more difficult to say "yes." The time and day to be saved is now! "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). The Bible, in numerous places, urges its reader to "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6). In several places, we are warned, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Psalm 95:8, Hebrews 3:7,15 and 4:7). God will not always, as it were, come knocking at your door. You do not know when you will draw your last breath. The decision to believe in Christ should not be postponed any longer. "Tomorrow" is the day when the idle man works, the thief becomes honest, the drunkard becomes sober. So often, it never comes. God's call is not a call for tomorrow, but for today.

Aren't you assuming an awful lot? How do you know that you will have time or the desire to "make things right" in the last moments before your death? This very day, many have passed into eternity without any advance warning. Have you thought about the dangerous state you are in right now? The fact is that you are in rebellion against God if you refuse to acknowledge your sin and your need for a Savior. The Bible says concerning Christ, "He who believes in Him is not condemned; 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). Again, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him" (John 3:36).

If we only did things because we felt like it, we would be in big trouble! Do you feel like working every day, or do you work because you know you need to? Do you exercise because you always feel like it? Is it not because you know it's for the good of your health? Most people do their worthy acts contrary to feeling—think of soldiers who engage in combat! If you are honestly wanting to know the truth, ask God to reveal Himself to you. As you read the Bible and consider its truths, some of which are explained in the various articles on this web site, ask God to help you to understand. He will! "[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

Please remember that guilt is personal and salvation is an individual matter. When you stand before God one day, you will not stand there amid your family members; you will stand alone. True, if you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, your family relationships may be strained. However, when you believe the gospel message you become a member of God's family. Anyone who has taken that step can testify that a far closer and deeper bond exists between children of God (John 1:12) than ever was experienced through blood relationships. Rather than thinking of yourself as the only one in your family to believe, you should think of yourself as the first one in your family to believe! Upon receiving God's gift of salvation for yourself, begin at once to pray for each family member and patiently live your life before them in such a way that they'll be able to see the difference in your life that Christ has made. You may have the joy of leading them to the truth, rescuing them from an eternity in hell.

The basic message of the gospel is that people are sinful, God is infinitely holy, and Christ took the punishment that we deserve in order to reconcile us to God. This is all explained more fully in the article How Is a Person Saved? As a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, they look forward to a lifetime—and even eternity—of gaining deeper understanding of what Christ has done on the cross, and the riches we are granted through that. One of the many wonderful aspects of God's provision in Christ is that we can lay hold of this blessing by simple faith. If we were required to have superior intelligence, understanding, and ability, then we might be proud of our own attainment. Instead, we simply believe what God has done, and bow our hearts before Him while we marvel at His mercy and grace.