Baptism is a good thing, but it does not assure salvation, because according to scripture something else comes before baptism (Acts 2:14-47). When Peter was talking to the people at Jerusalem about the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter told them to repent and then be baptized. Repentance means that there is a change in the heart and mind of a person. It is a realization that one is a sinner and needs a savior. Then, after repentance, Peter says, “Be baptized.” In other words let’s seal and celebrate the decision that you just made with an act that pleases God.

Ask ten different people what the definition of good is, and you will get ten different answers. That’s the problem with thinking, “I am good enough.” It is the standard that matters and in the end, if heaven is to be our home, the standard is put in place by the one who made heaven. The bible says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” In other words God is so glorious, so wonderful that He cannot be in the presence of anything less. And that is the wonderful miracle of Jesus Christ. That He would give His life, so that we could believe in Him and receive a glorious new life and therefore be able to stand in heaven.

Look at the world around us. War, poverty, crime, slavery, sex trafficking and so much more darkness we cannot even begin to describe. We need to be saved from our own self destruction. We decided long ago to not listen to God and to go our own way (Genesis 2–3). Ever since this choice the world has become progressively darker. We need to be saved from the sin that entangles us all.

When Christians say they are covered by the blood of Jesus, it doesn't mean that they were literally covered in blood. That would be gross. What they are saying, however, is that they believe Jesus Christ died, and His blood was shed so that we might have life. We committed sin and have separated ourselves from God, and according to His word, He gave His son Jesus Christ as an offering for our sin (John 3:16). You see, Christ’s blood is the sacrifice that washes all sin away.

Ok, so the blood is a symbol, but consider this. If you had a terminal illness and were told the only way to live was to smear lambs blood all over your body, would you do it?

Well then, welcome to the family, because we are all terrible people. We're not saying this lightly, we really mean it. According to God’s word we all deserve His wrath, for we have all fallen short of His Glory (Romans 3:10-18). We have been born into a sinful life, and on our own can do nothing good. God’s word says that He is looking for righteous people. In other words, heaven is reserved for the righteous. Because none of us fit that description, God in His great mercy gave His son as an offering for us. Righteousness has been given to us if we believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26). Still not convinced? When Jesus was crucified two criminals were crucified with Him (Luke 23:39-43). While on the cross waiting to die, one acknowledged his sin and asked Jesus for grace and salvation. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in paradise.” No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, if you believe, Jesus can say that to you, today.

Many have made this quote or one similar. The thinking is that it really can't be that bad. So tell you what, we're not going to talk about the fire and how hot it is, or the eternal pain one would feel. Instead we will talk about hope. Here on earth, whether you are a Christian or not, you can hope or dream of something better. In fact when you talk to Jewish Nazi camp survivors and ask them what kept them going, they will say, “hope.” Hope that at any moment, at some time, it would turn around and that they would live. Hell is a place devoid of any and all hope, and all one is left with is the dark knowledge that at no time, in no way will anything get better. And if by chance you were to run into a friend in hell, you can be sure you would not know them, and they wouldn't know you. The powerful depression of hope, gone-eternally, changes even the way you look.

Have you ever driven by a house and just admired it? You may not think about it, but you know someone built it. You may never meet the person, but you know the house came from someone. In faith, we believe and know that God is the great builder. All things came and started from Him. Some claim that this all started by a big explosion, and there by conclude, that all the wonderful things you see around you came from nothing at all. Nothing...what a depressing alternative. Christians believe that there is an originator, a creator who designed and keeps all things together. By Him all things have come.