Sorry for my first introduction, upon reflection, it does seem a little abrupt.
You see 4 years ago I believed that we where born and then died and that was it. Then I attended an Alpha course held at my local church to explore the meaning of life. I was intending to convert all these “sandal wearing, God botherers” to my way of thinking or at the very least cast doubt on there beliefs. As I went week after week to argue my point, I came away with doubts of my own and finally decided to give God a chance to reveal himself, and this is what I found out.
God created the world for his created children to develop in. He wanted children for the same reason we do, to love and care for. Now, he didn’t want robots who would do as they where told and to love him because he commanded it, so he created them with free will that he could not change. Everyone was to be given the choice to love and obey him or not, just like our children. So when he created the first man and woman, He gave them a world to live in, everything was theirs, all except one thing, this one fruit tree, he called it the tree of knowledge. That’s like putting a child in a room full of toys and sticking a bowl of jelly babies right in the middle, set up for failure. God had to do this to test them, he knew they would fail but even then he had already made provision for the humane race to have free will but to obey and love their father as we love our own earthly parents. He said to them if you eat from the tree you will die, bearing in mind at this point the earth was created perfect, without death or sin. God then allowed satin to cast doubt upon Gods love for them by daring them to disobey God, much like someone daring you to do something as a child, you where told not to, by your parents but listened to the other kids, only years later do you realise why it was wrong. Anyway because of this folly, the two people who represented the whole of mankind had to start the ball rolling for the longest learning curve ever. The curse of sin entered the world and they where banished. Between this time and 2000 years ago there was a lot of testing and teaching by God, he gave them rules on how to live there lives but no matter how they tried they couldn’t shake of this curse of sin. God knew this, so he did something that was always in his plan. He sent Jesus who wasn’t born into sin, as his father was the Holy Spirit, so he was without sin (quite a big point), you see the only way to combat sin, was if a sinless man was to be sacrificed. So God sacrificed his own Son so that we could start the journey back to a full on relationship with him. This is what it is meant by Jesus died for you, If you where guilty of a crime and sentenced to death and the Judge then said that he would take your place, you would be gob smacked, not only that you would probably want to thank him or if someone pushed you out of the way of a bus and saved your life you would probably feel obligated to that person and would strike up a life long relationship with them. Jesus underwent torture, ridicule, he was outcast, betrayed and finally endured the most horrific of deaths but because he had defeated even death its self by that act, he rose again as he said he would and is now waiting for you to thank him by accepting him into your life and through prayer having a one to one personal relationship with him. God wants his children to return to him, not because he says but because we want to. He has paved the way and all we have to do is accept.
Sorry for going on a bit but it’s quicker than reading the Bible.

Just to summarise;

After sin entered the earth it was like carrying a chalk board on our back and everything we do that is sinful is written on it, mine was huge.

No man or army could defeat death, although scientists are trying, bless um! So God sent his only Son to die in our place.

We still have the promise of eternal life but we must be sin free therefore if we acknowledge what Jesus did for us he will wipe the slate clean. This can only be achieved by accepting him as your savour and asking him to forgive you for all those passed sins

God always intended for us to be immortal and live life in peace and harmony, but he set his standard. If you go to a fancy restaurant and the dress standard is a tie and jacket, they won’t send you away because you have neither, they offer you a tie and jacket. It is up to you whether or not to accept there standards.

Finally, Jesus will return to earth one day and a new earth will be created just like it was at the start, no death, eternal life with the Lord our God and much more than our pea sized brains could ever comprehend.

Well that’s it my friends, I’ve kept it as short as I can to do it any justice. I wouldn’t expect you to run screaming to the nearest church for forgiveness but if you have been inspired by these words then I encourage you as a matter of urgency to get it right in your own mind and if you feel that this is the truth then before you go to sleep tonight, pray in your head or out load, “Jesus I recognise now what you did for me on that cross and that I am blinded by sin. Please help me to confess my sin to you and forgive me for the things I have done Amen. Eternal Life or eternal death is just a heart beat away, don’t leave it too long. Have you ever tried to back date life insurance?

Go on go and see your dad. He loves you.

With love,

Dave

Reading the above is like ( with the greatest respect to you all) seeing lost sheep. You know there is more to life than this but have no guidence or direction.
I beg you now, read the bible, just once and then have a re think. If you don’t understand it ( and there’s a lot to get through ) there are so many commentaries that can help.
I pray that like me you will one day know the truth. Jesus loves you and wants to have a one to one personal relationship with you right now. Give him a chance and stop making up stories fairy stories.

With love and Gods blessings,
Dave