As Christians, we believe that sin--something common to each and every human being on earth, with no preference or exception for anyone--creates a gap of unimaginable magnitude between each of us and God. You might picture it like this:

Imagine that this gap is millions of miles wide. There's no way anyone can get across it, no matter how many good deeds he or she does, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," according to Romans 3:23.

That might sound like bad news--not good news. But there's more to the story. In Romans, Paul goes on to write this: "...they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

Or, as Jesus said it as recorded in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."

Jesus Christ, the long-promised Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, died as a sacrifice to bridge that gap. Prophecy after prophecy proclaimed that Jesus would do this, and he did.

But there's still more.

Jesus rose from the dead. He triumphed over the grave. That means that EVERY battle we fight is already won in Jesus. We don't get to heaven because we're "good." We get there because Jesus made it possible. That makes Christianity different---yes, we believe that faith in Jesus will show itself in good works. But there are no perfect people, no "better" people. Only redeemed people.

So, if you've ever stayed away from church or God because you're not "good enough," know this: we're all in the same situation, no matter how many services we've attended. Only Jesus bridges the chasm of sin that would otherwise separate us from God. Only Jesus makes a way for our salvation.

Even better, Jesus wants to have a PERSONAL relationship with each and every one of us.

God cares enough to desire to have an intimate, day-to-day walk with you. He's not and never will be a God who watches from an impassive distance. He is here, now, and in the heart of any believer. Do you want to believe but don't know how? Just ask. Ask God to help you believe. Visit us or any church nearby. Just ask.

In John 10:10, Jesus said, "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." We pray that this life will be yours!