Although many of use live under good circumstances, at least in western countries, there are still many problems. In many places there are indeed very big problems. The mass media tells us about these and they are discussed in many ways. My intention is not to deal with these problems. I want to go a little deeper behind these.

In last decades there has been a tremendous development in technical and communication areas. But it seems, that the mankind itself has been a victim for this expansion of global connections and trade affairs. Mankind has not developed to meet the pressure, which these increasing activities has created. In the midst of increasing welfare the man has become even more rootless. Therefore we should try to find the real reasons, which are behind the today’s problems. What is the deepest root to this chaos, which seems to be incurable despite of many efforts to get rid of it.
I will here point out some very important things, which should be considered.

Man is created to relationship with his Creator. This relationship was broken, when the first people fell into sin. The factors, which through the devil led to this tragic situation, were selfishness, pride, lust for power and disobedience before God. The instincts we have got should be used to help and enrich our lives not to rule over us. But unfortunately we have begun to use these instincts in a way, which lead us further away from God. Referring to freedom and tolerance they have made us to slaves under these powers. Often they also break the relations between people and causes many tragic situations. Often we notice these too late.
When we have lost relationship with God, He becomes very far away and we begin to doubt about His existence. Or we deny Him.

The Bible tells us, that we are sinner, because we have not loved God above all. We have broken the most important commandment. Matt.22:36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets
Nobody has fulfilled this commandment in his life.

I have shortly specified the situation of men in these thesis :

1. God has created the man to relationship with Him and He loves everybody.
2. The mankind fell into sin with tragic consequences.
3. God sent His Son into the world to reconcile mankind to God.
4. Accepting Jesus in our hearts we can find relationship with God and despite our life situation we can find the meaning in our lives and peace in our heart. We can be saved.

What is to be saved or born again or to become a believer or whatever we call it?
The Gospel tells us about that. Only on the basis of the Word of God we can be saved.

Different persons can experience this in very many ways according to ones nature, earlier experiences in their lives, traditions etc, but there are some general steps :

• Confess your need (I am a sinner. I have not loved God above all. The relations to other people may still be in good order)
• Be ready to turn away from your sins (Repent and be if necessary ready to confess your sins before people.
• Believe, that Jesus Christ has died on the cross for your sake and has risen for your righteousness.
• Ask Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord through the Holy Spirit.

You can pray e.g. as this :
Jesus, I know, that I have sinned and I need your forgiveness. I believe, that you has died for my sins. I repent and want to turn away from my sins. I ask you to come into my heart and my life. I will thrust upon you as my Saviour and I will follow you in relationship with your church. Help me and have mercy with me. Thank you, that you hear my prayers.

Of cause you can also pray with other words. The most important thing is, that you are honest and really want to begin a new life.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (Joh.1:12)

Salvation means that

• We are declared as righteous, we are reconciled with God.
• Our sins will be forgiven. Our guilt is away. We have peace with God in our hearts.
• We will get a living relationship with God as our heavenly Father.
• We are the child of God and heirs (Rom.8:14-17)
• The salvation is only of grace not according to our merits.

These actions can not bring us salvation :

• We are not saved according to our good works and actions. Good works do not save us and gives us not a living faith, but a living faith will influence on our works. People can do good works without being saved. Good works are of course recommended, but they are not enough to reconcile our sins.
• Through obeying and fulfilling the law. We are unable to that. The Bible tells us, we are sinners.
• Through intellectual thinking. Wise thoughts and good philosophies can not bring salvation.
• Through belonging to a Christian Church and active participation in Christian activities.
• Through certain rituals and religious devotions.

• Unbelief. We do not accept the Gospel
• Selfishness. I myself decides, what I believe. I do not thrust in authorities.
• A very critical attitude to Christian believers.
• Fear for other people. What will they think?
• Inferiority complex. I can not. I am such as I am
• Fear that I can not live as a Christian
• The Devil gives us many pretended reasons why not to believe.
• Some people have bad experiences from believers, their living style and their quarrels.
• They believe that Christianity is only one religion among many others, which mankind has developed.

Ef. 2:8-10 : For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

which we can receive or accept as a gift. Then we will be born again as the Bible (Joh.3) tells us. After that moment is it very important, that the new spiritual life in relationship with God begins to grow in a proper way. In this growing process we learn to know God better and what is His will in our daily life. We always meet new situations, in which we have to make decisions what to do. Therefore is it very important to regularly read the Bible and pray for wisdom and guidance and to have contacts with other believers in some church.

In our daily life we often make mistakes and our selfish nature is not always according to Gods will. But as again born Christians and as a member of the body of Christ we are accepted by God. The basis for our Christian life is the completed work of Christ on the cross and not the half done work of the Holy Ghost in our lives, which goes on during our whole life. Our daily weakness does not nullify the grace of God.

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (Joh.10:28-29)

Anyhow if we sin, we must confess : "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 Joh.1:9)

The saving belief in Christ (Rom.10) restore our relation to God. This is our vertical connection. This is only the work of God. A man can not himself restore this relationship.

But we have also our connections in horizontal direction with other people around us. On this plan we should make efforts, that our Christian belief brings forward fruits : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance (Gal.5:22-23)

According to the Bible it is important that we live according to Gods will in our daily life, but it is not the basis for our salvation.