Q: My best friend was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident a few weeks ago, and it’s really hit me hard. I’ve never given any thought to death, but now I can’t avoid it. Frankly, I’m scared, because I know I’m not ready to die. How can I be ready?

A: One of the Bible’s greatest truths, although it’s one that’s hard for us to accept sometimes, is that God is able to bring good out of even the most senseless tragedy. I pray this may be the case for you.

What do I mean? Simply this. All your life, you’ve lived for yourself, never thinking about God or doing anything to prepare for the inevitable moment when you will die and meet God. And it’s very likely you would have continued this way the rest of your life, if it hadn’t been for your friend’s death. Now this tragedy has made you stop and think about your own need for God—and if your friend’s tragic death now causes you to turn to Christ, good will have come from it.

Only one thing will keep us out of heaven, and that is our sin. The problem, however, is that we can’t cleanse ourselves of sin; it simply isn’t possible. But Christ came into the world to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. He came to forgive us, cleanse us and open heaven’s door for us, through His death and resurrection for us.

Don’t cling to your sins any longer, but turn to Jesus Christ and open your heart and life to Him today. God’s promise is for you: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Q: Does God ever give us a second chance, even if we’ve really messed up our lives? Or does He just give up on us? I hope not, although I can’t blame Him if He does, at least in my case.

A: God is the God of the second chance—and the hundredth chance, and the thousandth chance! No matter how rebellious and sinful we’ve been, He always stands ready to forgive us and welcome us home if we truly repent and commit our lives to Jesus Christ.

Do you remember Jesus’ story about the son who rebelled against his father? (We usually call this the parable of the prodigal son, and you can find it in Luke 15:11-32.) This son took his money and left home, going as far from his father as he could get. He ignored everything he’d been taught, and lived a life of pleasure and immorality. But then his money gave out and all his so-called “friends” abandoned him, and he almost starved.

Finally, however, he came to his senses. He realized how foolish he’d been, and he swallowed his pride and started home. But would his father receive him—or would he reject him, as he deserved? To his surprise, his father ran to welcome him, fully forgiving him and restoring him as his son.

Don’t take your sin lightly; it has cost you far more than you realize. But God still loves you; He loves you so much that He sent His only Son into the world to give His life for you. Don’t let another day go by without Him, but turn to Christ and thank Him for forgiving you and making you His child forever. Then God will say, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24).