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My story is a simple one, though it didn’t feel simple living it.

I grew up in inner-city Chicago during the 1960s, a messed-up kid who knew only the insecurity of poverty and a definite lack of family and societal support. With no direction and no purpose, I joined the military at seventeen just to escape my problems. When I got out at age twenty-one, I quickly learned just how unwelcome veterans could be in that post-Vietnam era. I evolved from a messed-up kid into a troubled young man, drifting into one bad situation after another. By my early twenties, I was homeless, facing legal trouble, and running out of options.

That was when someone reached out and pointed me toward my need for spiritual renewal. I knew I was in trouble, but I hadn’t realized that my deepest problems stemmed from my own sin against a holy God. I had heard of Jesus, but I never truly understood that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, was buried, and rose again to give me eternal life. I didn’t know that His sacrifice could provide the forgiveness I needed to restore my relationship with my Creator. Honestly, I had never even considered whether God loved me enough to forgive my rebellion against Him.

But He does—and He did.

The Bible tells us that God indeed does love us and that He provides redemption for us through Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16 & 17

Jesus isn’t blocking the door to shame you and keep you out. Most people already feel enough shame. You may already realize that you have sinned and fallen short of the purpose for which God has created you. In fact, Jesus is opening the door of redemption. A free gift of salvation. But a gift must be accepted before it can be beneficial.

Won’t you come to Him?

His promise is sure. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

If you ask Jesus to save you from the penalty of your sins and give you a home in heaven, He will forgive you, receive you, keep you secure in His love, and change your story forever!

Scripture Truths:

God is Holy

This means that He is pure and He cannot tolerate our sin. Our sin keeps us from having a relationship with Him and from enjoying an abundant life with Him forever.

“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” Habakkuk 1:13

God is Just

This means that He cannot overlook our sin. Our sin must be paid for and purged before we can have a relationship with our Creator.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

God is Loving

He loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for our sins.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” I John 4:9

God is Gracious

He provides His loving plan of forgiveness freely to all who believe.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

So, how will you respond to God’s invitation?

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:15

If you understand these things to be true, I encourage you to pray to Jesus. Admit that you are a sinner who can never be good enough for God, unless He intervenes on your behalf. Confess that you need Jesus to pay for your sins, so that you can be right with Him. If you ask Jesus to save you from the penalty of your sins and to give you a home in heaven, He will forgive you, welcome you, keep you secure in His love, and change your story forever!

I have only shared a part of my story with you, but I would be happy to share more. Even better, I would love to hear your story. Feel free to reach out to me.

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