The Christian religion is not sad news, but good news. God has not meant it for just a few, but for all people. Also for you. The Bible says: "God... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).

The Christian religion is a message of salvation and joy for those who are traveling through the valley of sorrow of this world. It is a message for those who have incurred God's righteous wrath by their sins, and are helpless on the road that leads to eternal damnation. It is a message also for those who are unaware of their own eternal destiny, if they die without Christ.

That is why the good news of Jesus' substitionary atonement must be preceded by the Word of the Law, so that a person will realize that he is a sinner and will fear God's severe wrath. If a person does not feel God's wrath in his conscience because of his sins, he will feel no need to seek refuge in Christ.

It is important that we be aware of our sins and that we remember what the Bible says: "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of Law, to perform them" (Gal. 3:16). We have not fulfilled God's Law and are therefore under its curse. But the purpose of the Christian religion is not only to inform us that we are headed for eternal damnation, if we trust in our own works. In that case it would not be good news, but sad news, which would be best to forget completely.

The central message of the Christian religion is salvation. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:l6). Jesus has atoned for our sins. As our Substitute He has borne God's wrath. This He has done also in your stead, because He has loved the whole world and would have all people to be saved. Because of Christ's substitionary atonement God has also forgiven your sins. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved. As a believer in Jesus, traveling through this valley of sorrow, you will not be traveling toward eternal damnation but will be on your way to eternal bliss.