It is only in and through Jesus Christ that you can be saved from a life of eternal separation from God. Salvation cannot be earned, being a free gift from God. Its acquisition, however, requires your cooperation with God, because God will not violate your free will. He is a true gentleman. Thus, a life of repentance and participation in the sacraments of Christ's Church is the means by which you can cooperate with God. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ and through baptism into a new life, that you can begin the journey toward full humanity and life as God originally intended for you. It is in this new life in Jesus Christ that God will restore to you the divine likeness that was lost (given up) by your first parents; Adam & Eve. Upon hearing the words of Peter the Apostle, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), many people were cut to the heart and came to saving Faith in Jesus Christ. Their response was one of acceptance and question. "What shall we do now?" they asked. Peter responded rightly by telling them to "repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit" (God's life-giving breath). (Acts 2:38) When someone is baptized, they are not baptized simply into a personal faith in Jesus, they should be baptized into the Body of Christ, The Church. The Church is a very real, tangible, actual community of Christian believers that has an un-broken continuity of belief, worship, doctrine and life connected through a succession of Bishops directly from Jesus Christ & His apostles to us today. This un-changed Church is the Orthodox Church. Many claim to be the Church, but none can demonstrate an un-altered, un-broken continuity of faith, doctrine and worship of God like the Orthodox Church has for 2,000+ years. It is a sort of pedigree of authenticity distinguishing itself from many fraudulent claims. It is in baptism that we are washed from the corruption of Adam & Eve's original sin - that which has been passed down to us; leaving us free and able to grow into the full person and stature that God intended for each person. But again, we need to cooperate with God and be united with Jesus in His Church. Do you want to share in the life that God offers to every human being - to become fully human? You can! If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord that He died on the cross and rose from the dead to offer you new life, and you now desire to share in God's eternal life and Kingdom... You will need to cooperate with Him! Repent (this means to turn around, amend our lives and come back to God), seek God's forgiveness of your sins, accept, believe and be united to Jesus Christ and His Church here on earth. Our faith and life in God is never individual or personal, it is in unity with His people, the Church, just as God is united in the Holy Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit). If you desire to know more about how to have this life that God offers, seek out the closest Orthodox Church or call the nearest Priest for guidance. You can also contact me here at:stlukeucc.org for encouragement, prayer and direction. If you have already been baptized, and have not been active in a Church, come home! The Orthodox Church is here for you with open arms. God loves you!!