Invitation

Think of it this way... Imagine you're in a courtroom, you're guilty of many serious crimes. The judge says, "It's a fine of $500,000, or prison."

You don't have anywhere near that amount of money, so the bailiff begins to walk you out of the courtroom when someone you don't even know appears. He runs up to the judge with a check and says, "I've paid the fine for you."

Now that the fine has been paid, the law no longer has any hold on you. You're free -- because of the gift you were given. This is what God did for you by sending his son, Jesus, to die on the cross in your place.

So that you wouldn't have to go to Hell, God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross -- suffering the punishment that justice demands. We broke the Law, Jesus paid our fine.

The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.