Jesus gave a very severe warning that not everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is a Christian. He said:

Many will say to me on that day 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!'

Matthew 7:22-23

The question is: what will Jesus say to you?

The Good News

The word 'Gospel' (as in 'The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John') means 'good news'. And the 'good news' is that eternal life is a free gift. Not something we have to earn though good works, by being religious, or trying to live a perfect life. The starting point is where we are now. The Bible says:

It is by grace you are saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

The Problem of Sin

The problem is that we have all failed in the sight of God. The Bible calls that sin. Sin is not just the really bad things we do, like committing murder, but anything that is against God's standards. If we are honest, we don't even live up to our own standards all the time. The Bible says:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

God's Character

God loves us. But he cannot just ignore our sin and wrong-doing, any more than a Judge can let off someone who has been found guilty. He must punish sin.

Jesus' Death on the Cross

When Jesus died on the cross, he took the punishment for our sins. He stood in our place so that God could then forgive us. This is what Easter is all about.

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Repentance and Faith

Faith is much more just just having an intellectual understanding. The heart of the Christian faith is to repent of sin, and to turn to Christ for his forgiveness and gift of eternal life.

Have you done this?