"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:1
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ – fully God and fully man— was born of a virgin in fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus Christ did what you and I could never do: He lived a perfect, sinless life. Then, in the ultimate display of God's mercy, Jesus Christ suffered and died a criminal's death by crucifixion, not because of His own guilt, but bearing the guilt of all who would call on Him as Lord and Savior. This, too, was in fulfillment of prophecy. The prophet Isaiah wrote this about Jesus 700 years before the Savior's birth:
"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:5-6
Jesus Christ died for your sins and for mine. Have you ever lied, stolen, used God's name as a cuss word? Those are serious sins in the eyes of God (1 Cor 6:9-10; Rev 21:8; Exo 20:7). If we were judged by God's standard each of us would be guilty and deserving of Hell. But God knew that we could never be good enough to earn our own salvation, so He laid our guilt upon Jesus Christ so that when we stand before Him in judgment (Hebrews 9:27) we could be declared "not guilty" on the basis of Jesus' blood. Why would God do that? It was a demonstration of His glory, His mercy, and His love for you.
"But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
What does God require of you? Only that you repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ to save you (Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10). Repentance is turning from your sin and turning to Jesus. Will you do that today? Will you repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ today? One last thought:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"
Romans 8:1
