I'm talking about the game of life and like it or not you became a participant the moment you were born. "So what?" You may be thinking. "I was born, I live and when I die that's the end of the line, my troubles are over." A lot of people would agree with you. Possibly, even Shakespeare, for he said, "Life is but a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more."
However convincing this may seem the Bible presents an entirely different picture. Hebrews 9:27 says,"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Now, I ask you. Do you know anyone who has managed to escape this appointment beyond a normal life span? Of course you do not. Therefore, because the first part of Hebrews 9:27 is true, consider the second part is true also: The part about judgment.
The Bible also tells why we deserve judgment in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." Make no mistake! Everyone is guilty of sin against God.
Now, suppose for a moment, that you have been found guilty for speeding and are before your judge awaiting sentence. The judge sets your penalty and as he bangs his gavel a stranger comes to the bench and says, "Because I love you, I've paid your penalty. You are free." Would you believe him and accept his payment of your penalty regardless of how incredible it might seem, or would you refuse and arrogantly proclaim that you will take your punishment?
This is similar to the decision you must make concerning your judgment before God because everyone is guilty of sin. The question is, Who will pay the penalty? Thankfully, God has provided Someone to pay our penalty. I Corinthians 15:3-4 says that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
Because God loves us, Jesus Christ, His Son, took our punishment and all we need do is believe that He did it (John 3:16). Also, John 3:36 (NKJV) says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Truly, the choice is yours. You can believe that Jesus Christ took your punishment, thereby allowing you to go free or you can suffer the wrath of God yourself.
I urge you to trust Christ. Simply agree with God that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believe that Jesus died to take your punishment and that He came out of the grave alive, after three days.