I am a sinner, just like you. Yes, perhaps I have done more terrible things than you in my life or perhaps you did more gruesome things than me in yours. It doesn't matter, the truth is, we are all sinners.

In my life, there are some things I know. I know I am doomed to hell, just as you are. I know that no matter what we do, we cannot repay the sins we did. I also know that no one, on our own capacity, can afford to pay all the selfish things we did since we were born.

But probably just like you, I tried to do all things I could in my power to change my circumstances. I went to some religious authorities to confess my sins, where they promptly told me to attend services, pray repetitive prayers and that will be the payment for all my sins. That didn't work. I still felt the burden of guilt.

Even like you, I also tried self-help books. I wrote down all my sins, I wrote hate letters for the people who hurt me, I wrote letters asking for forgiveness from people I hurt and went to a quiet beach and burnt them all. I even kept the ashes, to remind me that it's all gone. That didn't work too. I still felt the heaviness of my sins.

At some point, like you, I have tried reasoning with myself that since I don't do bad things now, then I am in fact doing well. All I should do is forget my past and that's it! I thought all gods are the same and if you're not hurting anyone, then you're on the right track. That definitely didn't work. It just made me all the more unhappy with myself.

Perhaps like you, I also tried to join religious groups. They say there is a god who forgives all your sins and you're as if a new-born baby when you join them. I studied a bit and almost did convert, but somehow, something always prevents me from joining. That didn't work as well. All the more I have sunk into depression - nothing pleases me anymore.

Then there were times that, like you, I just didn't care. I lived my life just as it is - come what may. If I feel down today, it's probably the weather. If I feel happy today, maybe it's the vibes or energy in the surroundings. Maybe it's just karma or even my luck! Maybe this is all there is to life.

I tried and tried and tried and tried and failed. I stopped trying and I still failed. I felt unhappy and desperately alone. For ten years, I have gradually sunk deeper and deeper. One day, I asked myself, "Is this really all there is to it? What will make me truly happy? If I have all the wealth that I need to live comfortably in my lifetime, will that make me really really REALLY happy?"

I have then realized that wealth will indeed make us live comfortably, but surpisingly comfort does not equate to happiness. Even without great wealth, we can also live comfortably. I believe that in First World countries, most people live comfortably, but are they truly happy? I don't think so, somehow there is always a degree of dissatisfaction.

I kept on pondering this question. I know I am unhappy and somehow I know that there is more to life than being mostly unhappy sprinkled with ocassional "happiness." I feel that there is a possibility of living a better life - a happily ever after life! A state of happiness that stays all throughout.

I thought that somehow, if only I could forget my past and live again, then and only then would I truly be happy. But how will I do this? I couldn't possibly erase all my memories and even erasing my memory doesn't erase the fact that I am indeed a sinner! I will just be fooling myself.

Two days after these thoughts entered my mind, Jesus showed up in my life. I attest to the truth that the bible declares in

Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

I have earnestly sought God, and He honored it, even if I did not know Him.

In a most unusual way, Jesus came to me. He came and told me all I needed to hear. He knows me more than I know myself, He knows all my deepest secrets, my sins, my desires, my thoughts.

It was a choice for me to make, my own free will. I can choose to believe or not to believe in Jesus. It was hard for me - I read too many things and was exposed to too many schools of thought. But in the end, God's grace was upon my life, and the scales were removed from my eyes, that I was able to CHOOSE to believe in our Lord Jesus.

"I believe and I confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God Who came on earth, died on the cross for my sins and was resurrected on the third day to give me eternal life. I repent of all my sins and forgive those who hurt me. I invite the Holy Spirit in my heart, right here, right now, in Jesus' name, Amen."

With these words, I was free! Guilt was there no more. Condemnation was there no more. I felt totally free and wonderfully happy! I am no longer alone - the Holy Spirit is with me. I was no more bound by my sins and truth is, Jesus gave me eternal life in heaven, for this is the blessed assurance we have as the Bible declares in

1 John 5:13: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

God does not only free us spiritually but physically as well. Since the time I have known the Lord, I was delivered from smoking. I started smoking at a very young age - tried to quit many many times but couldn't - until Jesus came into my life. I have read the bible and it made such an impact in my heart that it changed my life, for the bible declares in

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Yes, there were times it sounded surreal, perhaps even hard to believe. But I would only ask God to "help me overcome my unbelief" and He does it. From time to time, Satan tries to destroy me the faith that I have, but I found out that I just have to be steadfast in my faith because he cannot harm me anymore - for the Bible declares in

Luke 10:19 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

I couldn't pay for my sins - but on the cross, Jesus did. He paid the price in full and was given to me free! I was doomed to hell - but when Jesus resurrected on the third day, He overcome the grave! The Holy Spirit was also given to me - to guide me in my days here on earth. All these things were given to me and on my part, all I have to do is believe in my heart and confess with my mouth.

I am assured of my salvation. Although I was a sinner, Jesus became my Righteousness. This is my security. No amount of wealth can give me this kind of assurance that I have in Jesus. I am at peace and I am really really REALLY happy. There is always joyful expectation of the Lord and He never fails to amaze everyone. I now serve an awesome God, God who is good ALL THE TIME!

I do believe that when you sincerely seek God, He will also come to you in a manner that you never expect. He came on earth as a Servant and not as a regal king they all anticipated. But when He comes, you will know that you know that you know that He is with you.

I pray that the Lord will touch you and open your heart and remove the scales from your eyes that you may feel, believe and see that there is only One True God - the only Truth, Way and Life - that is Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The day of your salvation has come. Harden not your heart.