Listen to one of the grandest statements in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Isn’t that a thrilling statement? And, it has nothing whatsoever to do with being Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, or anything else.
Now, how can this Love of God be extended to you?
It has been extended to us all, already, in the gift of His Son.
But we must receive the gift as one receives any gift.
We admit our need, and accept what has been offered.
The Bible says: “God commendeth (displays) His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Therefore, God “commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
Repentance? Why such a humbling requirement?
Because one cannot turn to God without first turning away from himself.
To have the personal relationship with God that you desire, you must be holy as He is holy.
That is, you must have no sin on your record.
A perfect record comes to imperfect people in only one way:
Their own evil account is removed and replaced with the perfect account of Another.
Only one authorized to make such transactions may do so.
That is why Jesus, God’s Son died on the cross in Jerusalem years ago.
The Bible explains that God put our evil account on His Son, and His Son’s sinless account on those who believe in Him.
That is a simple rendering of the truth explained in II Corinthians 5:21. And so it what written: “Who His own self bore our sin in his own body on the tree” I Peter 2:24