In following through on our story of yesterday about Tommy, the child who felt unloved and abandoned, we are graphically reminded of what God did for us at Christmas 2000 years ago.

While not abandoned by God, our sinfulness cut us off from him and we were left lost in a world of sin and darkness, doomed for an eternal hell—whatever and wherever that may be—to be forever separated, not only from God, but also from all that is good and all that is loving.

However, in his loving mercy, Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, laid aside his external robes of deity and, clothing himself in a garment of human flesh, stepped out of the Ivory Palaces of Heaven, and came to earth so he could identify with mankind and save us from our despair and eternal lost-ness.

Unfortunately so many don’t realize the terrible plight we are in without God. Many reason that if God is a God of love, how could he ever send anyone to hell? It’s imperative for us to understand that because God is a God of absolute holiness no sin or sinner can ever exist in his presence. It’s also important to remember that it isn’t God who sends us to hell. If we reject his mercy and his pardon, we send ourselves there.

Furthermore, because God is absolutely just, all sin must be judged—and that judgment is eternal death, which is eternal separation from a holy and just God. Fortunately, however, God is also a God of absolute love and because he loved us, he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin, the penalty that God’s own justice demanded.

You may not be aware of it but Jesus is calling you to respond to his love and mercy. He has the gift of forgiveness for all your wrongdoing and sinful acts and, with his forgiveness, the gift of eternal life. And like the boy in Part I, God has been hiding in the shadows with you, patiently waiting for you to reach out and put your hand in his so he can lead you out of your lost-ness into his eternal life.

Why not answer God’s call today? You can do so by praying a simple prayer such as the following:

“Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for loving me so much that you sent your Son, Jesus, to come to earth on that first Christmas. I admit and confess that I am a sinner and am sorry for all the wrongs that I have done. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me. And I invite you, Jesus, to come into my heart and life as Lord and Savior. I commit and trust my life to you. Please give me the desire to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. Thank you for dying for my sins, for your free pardon, for your gift of eternal life, and for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, please click on (or copy and paste into your browser): www.actsweb.org/decision.php, and fill in the response form and we will send you a free copy of the e-Brochure, “How to Grow” to help you in your new Christian life. We will also send you the web address for the free “Ten Steps to Christian Growth.”

In the words of the songwriter, William E. Booth-Clibborn:

Down from His glory, ever living story,

My God and Savior came, and Jesus was His name;

Born in a manger to His own a stranger,

A man of sorrows, tears and agony!

Oh how I love Him! How I adore Him!

My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!

The great Creator became my Savior,

And all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him!

1. Isaiah 7:14 ( NKJV).