Maybe you think of rules and regulations, "don't do this" and "don't do that"; maybe you think Christians can never have any fun.

Or you might remember preachers threatening you with "hellfire and brimstone" and eternal damnation.

Many people think of the wars that have been fought and people who have been opressed in the name of "Christianity."

Or you may think of people you have known who say they are Christians, yet lie, steal, cheat, are greedy or immoral.

People may have many negative reactions, usually because no one has ever explained to them what Christianity really is.

Or you may think, "I am a Christian; I go to church, I've been baptized, I read the Bible." Or, "I'm a good person, I do what's right." But are these what God says is required to be saved?

Or you might think, "I can't be a Christian; I'm not good enough." But is our goodness what God really requires? Can we ever make ourselves good enough to stand before the Creator of heaven and earth?

It's simple, really. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God not only created the world, He loves everything and everyone he created. Even me, even you.

He loves us so much that He was willing to send His only begotten, unique son, with a unique mission.

1 John 2:2 tells us "Jesus himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for the sins of the whole world." That's how much God loves us, not only you and me, but everybody.

He knows none of us are perfect, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

That's why He sent His son, to bear the punishment for the wrongs we've done, so that we can be "holy and blameless before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:4)

Christianity is really a relationship: with God, the Creator, our Heavenly Father, and with His son Jesus Christ.

How Can I Have This Relationship? The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9 "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." That's what repentance is: By the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God makes it possible for us to be completely pure in His sight; all we have to do is admit we've done things wrong and ask Him to forgive us. He loves us so much, He will.

Romans 10:9 tells us "that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." So--do you believe that Jesus Christ died to take away your sins? Do you believe that God raised him from the dead and now he lives forever with God? Are you willing to admit you've done wrong, and let Jesus become the boss to help you live a good life?

If so, congratulations! The Bible says you're saved.

"For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses--declares openly and speaks out freely his faith--and confirms his salvation." (Romans 10:10, The Amplified Bible)

Can it really be that simple?

That's the way God planned it, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

But if what I do can't save me, where do good works come in?

Read on in Ephesians 2. Verse 10 says "For we are His workmansip, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

When you're saved, you become a child of God, and you're able to do the good works God wants you to do because you're not doing them on your own. You have God's help and His strength, for you have "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

Find a Biblical Christian Church near you, and start attending regularly. You'll need instruction, prayer, and spiritual food to help you grow as a Christian. You'll also want to have fellowship with other believers, and know the joy of worshipping God in a group of like-minded people. So don't be shy; introduce yourself to people in the church. Remember, you're not an outsider, you're all brothers and sisters. You're all children of God.

And please, don't expect yourself or other Christians to be perfect. Remember, God loved us and sent His son to die for us "even when we were dead in sins." (Ephesians 2:5) And He knows we're human and will make mistakes, that's why he gave us 1 John 1:9. When you do something wrong, admit it to God and ask Him to forgive you; He's faithful and always true to His Word. He loves you, and He'll forgive you and cleanse you.

Finally, enjoy the journey you've begun. Remember, you now have eternal life through Jesus Christ God's son, and no one can take that away from you. As you learn and study God's Word, as you worship and fellowship with like-minded believers, you'll find your relationship with God growing closer. You'll find it's easier to know what Jesus wants you to do, and easier to do it.

Remember those good works? God has some planned for you to do, and He will greatly bless you as you do them.