I had enough of religion when I was growing up. You probably wouldn't approve of the way I'm living, but why should I change? After all, God will give us a second chance after we die, won't He? — G.P.

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise us a second chance (that is, an opportunity to believe and be saved after we die). Nor does it teach that we will come back to earth again, and have another opportunity in another life.

In fact, the Bible teaches the opposite. At death we enter eternity, and then it will be too late for us to reverse the decisions we made while we were alive. The Bible says, "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). This is why the Bible also says, "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Why gamble with your soul?

I regret that your childhood religion turned you away from God. My prayer, however, is that you won't let those experiences (whatever they were) blind you to Christ. Look at Him as He is found in the pages of the Gospels. You may be surprised at what you discover there, for God loves you, and Christ was willing to die for you. It's not too late for you to turn to Him.

Yes, you need Christ, whether you realize it or not. You need Him for eternity—and you also need Him right now. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). This can be your experience if you will turn to Him before it's too late.