God is the Creator of everything, possessing all power and authority. He is holy and without sin or error. The unholy will not be permitted in his presence. As Creator, he has the right to determine and establish rules and laws. Finally, as Creator God is also Judge, every person will have to give an account of their life to him. 

Humanity was made by God as male and female, and according to his own image. God set humanity over his creation to subdue it and steward it. Upon creating the first humans, Adam and Eve, God placed them in a perfect garden where they would enjoy God's creation and fellowship with himself. God gave them one rule which was to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because if they did they would die (Genesis 2:17). Tempted by Satan, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They committed the greatest sin against God, the sin of unbelief concerning God and his Word. From this moment, God cast them from the garden, showed them the curse they inherited for their sin, and pointed out that they will now experience death. From that moment on, every person that has ever lived or will live has possessed a sinful nature. This inherited sinful nature is corrupt and wholly opposed to God and his law, under condemnation, and as soon as capable of moral action, makes actual transgressors. According to God's perfect, holy justice, sin cannot go unpunished. Every person will stand before God as Judge. 

But God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that whoever would believe in him would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Therefore, Jesus was born of the virgin Mary so as not to inherit humanity's sinful nature. He lived a completely perfect life, obeying all of God's laws without sin or error. Although without sin, Jesus was sentenced to death on a cross as a part of God's definite plan to redeemed sinners (Acts 2:22-23). On the cross, Jesus became our substitute by being punished for our sins in our place (Romans 3:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). In this punishment, Jesus took on the full wrath of God for our sin, paid our sin debt, and delivered us from the penalty and power of sin (Colossians 2:13-15). As a result, Jesus literally tasted death and was buried for three days (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). After three days, Jesus resurrected from the dead declaring victory of sin and death, satisfaction of the requirements of God, and securing eternal life for all who would belong to him in faith (John 10:18; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15). Therefore, through the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, sinners can be forgiven of their sin, pardoned of their guilt, given the righteousness of Christ, and justified before God. Subsequently, redeemed sinners are adopted into the family of God, experiencing the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God, and are guaranteed an inheritance in heaven forever. 

Simply knowing the facts about Jesus and agreeing with them does not gain one the salvation of God. Salvation is also not earned through good works or by being a good, moral person. Salvation is only offered as a gift of grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). Faith is being fully convinced that God is able to do that which he has promised (Romans 4:21). What has God promised? He has promised that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). Therefore, a sinner, when convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11) must cry out in faith to Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, trusting that God will keep his promise to save and forgive (1 John 1:9). This saving faith is followed by repentance of sin and striving to live an obedient, holy life that will honor God as a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). True saving faith is expressed in submission and devotion to Jesus as Lord and Savior.