Evolution can not explain earth's amazingly complex life forms. God exists, and He created the heavens and the earth - the entire universe. Mankind is not the product of evolution, but was created by God Himself.

God is beyond our understanding and we need Him to reveal Himself to us. He does this in two ways:

In His works. God speaks firstly in the glory of His creation, and the sheer size, balance, variety of the universe show His power, intelligence and imagination.

In His Word. God also speaks to us in the Bible. Scripture is God-breathed, and thus is the Word of God. Its prophecies are fulfilled to the letter, and it has had a life-changing impact on people's lives.

God is personal. He is not a thing, power or influence, but is a living personal Being.

God is one. There is only one true God, in a "trinity" of three persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.

God is spirit. He does not have a body, is invisible, and is everywhere all the time.

God is eternal. He has always existed, and He will remain always the same.

God is independent. He survives on His own.

God is holy. He is utterly without fault or defect, and hates all wickedness and wrong.

God is just. He is a perfect Judge, rewarding and punishing.

God is perfect. His knowledge and wisdom cover all things, and are beyond our understanding.

God is sovereign. He is the sole and supreme ruler of the universe - nothing is outside His control.

God is omnipotent. He is all-powerful, and nothing is too hard for Him.

Man doesn't merely exist, but was created by God. His special place in creation is as God's personal representative with authority over all other living creatures. Man was created in a perfect environment, with a perfect relationship to fellow-man and in perfect harmony with God.

That's hardly the situation today! What happened?

The first man and woman (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God's command not to eat from a certain tree. So they earned the punishment God had threatened "You shall surely die." By disobeying God, man cut himself off from God, and in this way, death entered the world. Further, all of Adam's descendents became polluted with sin. You are thus a sinner by birth, by nature, by practice, and by choice.

The result of being a sinner is very serious.

You are debased. Sin has invaded every part of your nature and personality.

You are defiled. Your thoughts, words and actions are all tainted with sin.

You are defiant. By choosing to sin, you break God's law and make yourself subject to God's judgment and punishment.

What happens when you die? Those in a right relationship with God will be welcomed into heaven. All others will be punished with everlasting punishment in hell.

Hell is factual. The Bible makes clear that hell is a reality, and not just imagined.

Hell is fearful. It is a place of torment and suffering, cut off from all good.

Hell is final. There is no exit from hell. Punishment is eternal.

Hell is fair. In sending sinners to hell, God is giving them what they have chosen. They reject God here; He rejects them there.

People worship God with a vast variety of religious practices. But "religion" can never solve your sin problem in itself.

Religion can never satisfy God. Man's best efforts are flawed, but God demands absolute perfection.

Religion can never remove sin. Good deeds can never remove bad deeds.

Religion can never change your sinful nature. The real problem is not man's behaviour, but his heart which is corrupt and depraved.

Religious activities are important, but you can not rely on them to make you right with God.

Yes there is, and God has provided it. In His love, God sent his only Son Jesus Christ. God the Son took on our human nature, and yet remained completely God. He taught with astounding authority, performed miracles, and healed the sick. Although He was perfectly obedient to God, He was crucified to death. This was to pay the death penalty of sin.

Christ's death on the cross is very important.

Christ the Substitute. Sinners can escape God's wrath only because Christ volunteered to take the place of sinners and bear the just penalty for them.

Christ the Sin-bearer. This death was very real, and Christ endured the penalty of separation from God, in punishment for sin.

Christ the Saviour. Christ rose from the dead three days after His death. God thus accepted the payment of Christ's death, and gave Him victory over death.

Do you now see the need to be saved and be right with God? If so,

You must repent. This means a change of mind and heart about sin, forsaking sin and changing the direction of your life, and living in obedience to God.

You must have faith in Christ. This means believing that Christ died for sin, and trusting completely and only in Jesus Christ for salvation. If you truly believe in Christ, you will be saved and have eternal life.

If you believe in Christ, you have a right relationship with God, your sins have been forgiven, you are a child of God, you are eternally secure, and God Himself has come into your life by his Holy Spirit.

You should now give close attention to:

Prayer. You can speak with God your Father, asking Him for daily forgiveness, and thanking Him for salvation in Christ and the many other good things He gives you in life.

Bible reading. God speaks to you in the Bible, and you must grow in knowledge of who God is and what He wants you to do.

Fellowship. You must meet regularly with your brothers and sisters in Christ by joining a local church, where you will hear the regular preaching of God's Word, and learn about the sacraments of baptism and Lord's Supper.

Service. Use your gifts to serve the Lord and live a holy life.

John Blanchard, Ultimate Questions, © Evangelical Press 1987