John 3:17, 18
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It is an amazing thing to contemplate the creator of the universe naked on a cross for my sin. It really is unfathomable to think that the Lord of all we see sent His one and only son to die on a cross for the sin that I have committed. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (1 Corinthians 5:21). This Son of God, on a cross for my sins, is a gift that only God Himself could give. I could never earn my way to heaven. It is only by accepting this gift from God that I will ever dwell with God for all eternity. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
There is no magic word or phrase, there is no “to do” list. There is only the need to put our total faith in the Lord. At the age of seven I met the Lord on the top bunk of my bed. Has the Lord been calling you to put your faith in Him? “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is more than crying out to the Lord when you are in trouble. Faith is more than trying to live a good life. Faith is more than believing a God exists. Faith is coming to the realization that, because of your sin, you deserve to spend eternity in hell. Faith is coming to the realization that no amount of good works will keep you from hell. Faith is reaching out and accepting that there is a God, and believing that His Son alone overcame death. Faith is reaching back to God and saying, “I thank You for paying the price of my sin. I accept your grace.”
Where do you stand today? Does God know you as one of His children? 1 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” How long will you wait? How long will you chance the opportunity to accept this free gift? I urge you not to wait too long. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “…behold, now is the day of salvation.” There is no time like the present. Will you not accept God’s gift today?