In the beginning God created Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. And they chose to disobey God and fell into sin. Since then every person has been a sinner. Romans 5:12 tells us that "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

So now man has a problem. (Romans 5:19, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.") Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". Many of us think that we can be right with God if we just live a good life. "I've attended church for fifty years" some say; but the Bible says that we fall short of God's requirements. Isaiah 64:6 says that our righteousness, or good works, are to God as filthy rags. Ephesians 2:1 says that naturally, we are dead in trespasses and sins. A dead person can't save himself from anything.

So, if you can't save yourself by living right, what can you do? Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost". Salvation is a free gift; it is God's mercy extended toward us because we cannot save ourselves.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Man cannot pay for his sins himself, but since Jesus Christ is God, He can. And did. Jesus died for you; for your sins. Acts 16:31 says that we must "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved".

But are there other ways to God; other religions I could follow? The Bible says in Acts 4:12 that "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." There is no other name but "Jesus" that brings salvation. Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." There is no other way; there is no other truth.

Jesus shed His blood on the cross to pay for your sin, Matthew 26:28, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
This was the payment that had to be made, Hebrews 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

Many will be lead down the wrong path, and false teachers will mislead them, Matthew 7:13 and 14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." The narrow road is the one provided through Jesus Christ. The broad road leads to a place the Bible calls Hell. Jesus taught that Hell is a place of fire; and He gives us an account of a man who died and went there in Luke 16, verses 20-31. God does not want you to go there; that is why He provided a way of escape.

Be careful of a superficial belief, for "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23). Many people will believe what the Bible says about Jesus. They may even do great works for God, but it is not enough just to believe in your mind; you must truly believe in your heart; Romans 10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Salvation has nothing to do with your good works for God; it is His free gift to you. Salvation is God's mercy extended to us. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

What state are you in? Which road are you on? It is easy to follow the crowd down that broad road to destruction until you find that it is too late. If you are a young person, maybe a teenager, don't put this decision off; Ecclesiastes 12:1 says to "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not". You may think that you can put this decision off until you are older, but there will come a day when you may not want to be saved. It doesn't matter how old you are, or what you have done; God can forgive your sins. You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.