knock knock
Yes?
Hi, Let me introduce myself. I'm God.
Uh, (trembling) What do you want?
Can I come in?
Well, not right now. The place is a mess. It's pretty filthy in here.
But I've come to give you a free gift.
Really? Cool! What did I do to deserve this?
Nothing, that's the whole point.
I don't get it.
Let me explain. You've heard of sin haven't you?
Sure. Did you hear about the guy that murdered his wife yesterday? Now THAT is sin!
Yes it is. So was that story you told your boss yesterday about how you were sick and couldn't go to work.
Huh? How did you know about that?
I'm God remember.
Well, that was just a little white lie. All in all, I'm a pretty good Joe.
Your name is John.
That was just an expression.
Uh hem, Let's get back to sin.
OK. Like I was saying, I'm a pretty good person. Check my record. You'll see that I give to charities, help little old ladies across the street and even go to church once in awhile.
But you told that little white lie.
So?
Well, my standard is perfection. In my Word it says to be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.
Hey, no one is perfect.
Exactly! By George I think you've got it!
My name is John remember.
That was just an expression.
Oh.
Just ONE sin keeps you from Heaven. And, of course, you've sinned more than once, I'm sure.
Well, you're God so I can't deny that.
You see, I am Holy and Heaven is Holy which means there is no sin there.
Ok.
So.....I can't let you into Heaven the way you are. You'd RUIN it!
I think I see what you mean. So what you're saying then is that I'm doomed?
No, remember I said I had a free gift for you?
Yea, I was wondering when you were going to get back to that.
I love you soooo much that I sent my son, Jesus, to pay for your sins.
Oh, I've read about Jesus. I have some knowledge about who He is.
Good. But I'm not talking about knowing Him in your HEAD, I'm talking about knowing Him in your HEART!
What do you mean?
Well, you've heard of Benjamin Franklin haven't you?
Yes, he discovered electricity.
Are you trusting him to do anything for you?
No, of course not. He's dead.
Some people think of my son, Jesus, the same way. That He was just an historical figure who is now dead.
Well, I believe that He existed and doesn't the Bible say somewhere that He rose from the dead? You, know, like at Easter?
Exactly! You see Jesus is also God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. That is the Trinity. Do you understand?
Yes, I get it! So you came down from Heaven to earth, right?
I believe you are getting it.
Well, sort of. But why did you do that?
Like I said, because I love you and wanted to give you this free gift!
There's that gift again. What free gift?
The gift of eternal life!
You mean Heaven?
Yes! You see I am not only a loving God but I'm also a just God and must punish sin. So I came to earth and lived the perfect life for you. Remember your sins?
Yea, don't remind me.
I was beaten, made fun of and even had a crown of thorns placed on my head. Then they nailed my hands and feet to a cross and left me there to die.
How sad.
No. Just the opposite. I was quit happy to do it. I paid the debt you owed for your sins IN FULL on the cross. I took the punishment you deserved just so you could come and be in Heaven with me.
Wow! That is love!
Yes, and that is the free gift I'm offering to you. If you place your full trust in what I did on the cross for you as payment for your sins I will forgive you and give you eternal life.
I see now! I could never do enough good works to get to Heaven because I could never cover up my sin.
Yes! By my shed blood on the cross your sins are now covered providing you accept my free gift.
How do I do that?
By faith!
Oh I've had faith before. I prayed to get well when I had the flu last year. I'm sure you remember that. You're God right?
Yes, I remember. And I'm glad you thought enough of me to pray to me. But that's not the kind of faith I'm talking about.
There's more than one kind?
Yes, what I'm talking about is saving faith. Not just believing I exist but putting your full trust in me.
You mean quit trying to get to Heaven by my own good deeds and completely trust in you?
Yes! You've finally got it! I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.
So all I have to do is believe that you are who you say you are, that you died on the cross and paid for my sins in full and I can have forgiveness?
Right! That is the gift I've been wanting to give you! All you have to do is turn to me and ask!
Wow, I will accept your gift! Please forgive me for trying to get to Heaven my way. I believe now that you died for me and you took the punishment I deserved. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me! Thank you for this awesome gift!
You are welcome my child.
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