The Christian world view.

Mainstream Christianity believes that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Whether or not we take it literally varies from church to church but either way it is, "Fit for purpose."

The bible describes all Mankind as being sinful.

Sin is like a sickness which we have all inherited from our parents. It is not just a list of what we have done but also covers what we are capable of.

Over the centuries mankind built up an enormous debt with God. We had sinned and justice demanded that someone pay for it. If Man had to pay for it then everyone would end up in Hell.

Enter Jesus.

When he was killed on the cross, as God the Son, he paid for everyone's sin, past, present and future.

He then defeated death and rose from the grave. Then after more than 500 folk had seen him he returned to Heaven.

On Judgement Day those who have accepted Jesus as Lord will go on to eternal life.

Those who reject him will not enter Heaven. They would make a mess of Heaven just as they have made a mess of the Earth.

How about other religions? They are based on earning your way into God's favour. Christianity is, as far as I am aware, the only faith where you cannot earn your way into Heaven. If it were possible to earn or buy God's favour then we would have power over God and that is patently absurd.

Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One turned to him and said, "Remember me when you come to your kingdom." Jesus answered, "Today, you will be with me in paradise ." The thief was on a cross, he could not earn his way by good deeds or religious observance but by trusting in Jesus he made it through. No other religion can make that promise. No one has a guarantee of tomorrow, we must all like the thief turn to Jesus for as the bible says, "There is no other name under Heaven given to men by which they can be saved."