Sin Demands a Penalty. God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.

Jesus Is Lord and Savior. As already said, the New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything and that He owns and rules everything. This Almighty Lord also came, became a man, lived the perfect life, gave Himself willingly to suffer and be crucified as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, was buried, and rose victoriously from the dead. Yes, God’s justice demands death for sin, and in His love God provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save sinners. How does a person receive this priceless gift from God? Romans 10:9 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”