Dear Friend,

Permit me to share with you the biggest kindness ever shown to me. It all began before I was born, and yet I did not discover it until some years later. These words from the Bible present the heart of the whole matter: "God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

The amazing discovery is that the above passage applied to me. I was one of those sinners for whom Christ died. I realized that being religious and attending church was not enough. Since, according to the Bible, "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God," - Romans 3:23, I knew this did include me. An even greater discovery was that Jesus loved me enough to die for my sins! Most difficult of all was to face myself in the light of His kindness and death upon the cross. It was then the truth of I John 1:9 became powerfully real: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I was surprised to find that real forgiveness of sins did not come by struggling or striving, but only by confessing and yielding to Jesus Christ in simple faith. Now, best of all, He does not leave us with only a past experience of forgiveness; but He, Himself, is a present Saviour and Companion each moment of life's journey.

You have kindly read these words. I trust you have already accepted or will now accept the wonderful love and kindness of Jesus Christ to you. If you desire a fuller understanding of His kindness and grace, please read prayerfully the Gospel of John, which is found in the Bible and join us for worship and instruction in God's Word.

Sincerely yours,

Anthony L. Gibson
The Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church of Darien