I know I'm not going to heaven when I die, much as I'd like to. I've not been a good person, and I'm not worthy of going to heaven. I didn't live right, and none of my children are living the way they ought to either. Who am I to correct them? — Mrs. R.L.

Would it surprise you if I told you that no one—not a single person—is worthy of going to heaven? Yes, it might surprise you—but it's true, because we're all sinners, and even one sin is enough to keep you out of heaven.

You see, sin is like a toxic chemical. If you put only one teaspoon of poison in a barrel of pure water, it will no longer be pure. And if you commit even one sin (which we do every day), it will pollute your soul and make you unfit for heaven. God is holy and pure, and we cannot come into His presence as long as we are polluted by sin. The Bible says of God, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong" (Habakkuk 1:13).

That is why we need Christ, for only He can bring us the forgiveness and cleansing we need. He came from heaven to become the final and complete sacrifice for our sins, through His death on the cross. We deserve to die, but Christ died in our place.

Now God offers you salvation as a free gift, if you will only turn to Christ in repentance and faith. Make your peace with God by asking Christ to come into your life today—and He will. No, you can't undo the past. But you can walk with Christ in the future—and then you can urge your children to do so as well.