Rather than rely on guesswork, we need to listen to God himself, who has spoken on the subject in the Bible. As the one true source of knowledge about God, the Bible stands alone. It is the very word of God himself and states its purpose like this: these things are written that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31).

The Bible makes clear Jesus is no ordinary person. His birth was by the power of God, and he performed many documented miracles. He claimed to be the only Son of God (John 19:7): our maker, God himself, in the flesh. Then he rose bodily from the dead - and as the living Lord, has the right to be master of all.

This includes us. We were created to love him, the one true God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).

The Bible says every single one of us is guilty of denying him like this, of trying to ignore him (Romans 3:23). It shows up in our failure to do right, and our frequent acts of wrong. Because of this, our world is full of problems.

To treat Jesus this way is a crime punishable by death (Romans 6:23), and God will one day bring to account all who continue to defy him. Without exception, our sin incurs God's wrath and puts us under his judgment (Acts 17:31). Unless . . .

Jesus came to provide the single means of divine pardon: by his innocent death on the cross in our place, he was taking the punishment we deserve for ignoring God. His resurrection is God's stamp of approval to this.

It means we can be forgiven, when we turn around and stop defying him. The Bible puts it like this: God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Each of us is on the 'JUDGEMENT' track before we respond to Jesus. You will stay on that doomed path simply by doing nothing about Christianity. It leads to death.

To switch to the 'JESUS' track and gain eternal life, we must make a permanent decision to take God at his word, trust in his forgiveness and surrender to his direction. It is a new resolve to turn and follow Jesus as personal ruler and rescuer.

In summary, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him (John 3:36).

• Acknowledge past failure to treat God properly.
• Surrender your life to his loving authority.
• Rely on Jesus alone for acceptance by God.