Dear Friend,
Before you depart this life there is something essential you should know, and that is to know Jesus (1 John 5:20) – to know Him personally. If you know Him, trust Him and believe in Him, God will give you eternal life after death (5:11).
Jesus commands everyone to repent and to believe (Mark 1:15), and in return, those who obey Him will be granted a new and beautiful, pain-free life after death (Revelation 21:4). Jesus Himself rose from the dead (Romans 14:9) after suffering for the sins of those for whom He died (Hebrews 13:12). He lived a perfect and sinless life on behalf of all those who believe in Him. He died as a substitute to *atone for their sins and to satisfy the wrath (Romans 2:5) of His Father.
All without exception deserve to die (Romans 1:32) for their rebellion against God, just as Adam deserved to die for His disobedience to God. He ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6). Therefore all of his offspring, i.e., you and me, are tarred with his sinful nature (Romans 5:12). We naturally do things contrary to what God commands us. He commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30), and yet we naturally disobey Him, because we are in Adam. We are Adam’s offspring in the flesh. Therefore we all deserve death (Romans 1:32). We deserve to be estranged from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Furthermore, we deserve everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46).
The natural response to this is to ask, “Why me?” And in protest you may claim, “I don’t deserve to die; I’m a good person.”
To justify yourself you might claim you have led a good life (Cf. Romans 3:12). You have hurt no one; you have not held a grudge against anyone. You have not told a lie. You have never stolen anything. You have never coveted anything. Besides, you have helped your neighbours; you have helped build your community, and you have done other magnanimous works, like caring for and loving your family.
The truth is, you are far from perfect, and if you are to live in God’s holy presence in His perfect kingdom, you must be perfect (Cf. James 3:2) and without sin (Romans 3:23). There is no way by your own efforts you are going to achieve the perfection of holiness which is required for being in the presence of God. You need to be made clean, and free of all sin.
The way of achieving this perfection is by believing and trusting in God’s Son (Ephesians 1:13) – Jesus, who died for you in your place (2 Corinthians 5:21). He became your substitute and received the punishment due to you. He suffered in your place (1 Peter 4:1). Furthermore, He rose from the dead (Romans 14:9) and ascended into heaven, from whence He will come with His angels (Matthew 25:31) to take you to be with Him to live with Him in His new earth (Revelation 21:1).
If you have not yet asked God to forgive you for the things you know you have done that did not please Him, then ask Him right now for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Repent of these sins before Him, and He will no longer hold them to your account. He will forget them (Psalm 103:12).
He is loving and merciful, and in His mercy (Exodus 34:6, 7) He will forgive you. He will welcome you into His kingdom (John 14:2).
How can you know that this is true? Simply believe (v. 1), just as the thief on the cross, who one minute was cursing Jesus (Matthew 27:44), but the next realised who He was – the Son of God. In faith he pleaded for Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom (Luke 23:39-42). Jesus forgave him his sins saying, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise (V. 43).”
In your believing, God gives you His gift of faith, and through faith in Jesus you are saved (Ephesians 2:8).
This is my message: Believe and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). You will receive the riches of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:9) and everlasting life (John 3:36). Don’t wait. Today is the day of salvation (6:2).
Your forever Friend.
P.S.
To learn more about Jesus, I suggest you read the Gospel of Luke or the Gospel of John in the **Bible. If you are able to visit a Bible believing church, one where the Bible is truthfully taught, the members of that church will support you and encourage you in your walk with the Lord. You will never walk alone (Matthew 28:20). He will always be at your side. He will comfort you with His love.
*Limited Atonement
https://thebiblicalway.blog/2019/09/11/limited-atonement/
**Bible Versions
The Biblical Way 