Who is Jesus? There is so much confusion about Him in the world today. To atheists, agnostics and others, He was simply a carpenter from Nazareth in Israel who was crucified by the Romans for revolting. To the never-ending line of self proclaimed gurus and self-made spiritual coaches today, He is just one in a long queue of saviors sent to the world.
To us Catholics, and most other Chistian groups, Jesus is the one Savior sent from God to save mankind from their sins. According to the Bible and Christian Doctrine, Jesus died on the Cross to atone for our sins through the sacrifice of Himself. However, to Christians, Jesus is not just someone sent by God, but also-at the same time-God Incarnate (God made into flesh). According to the Catholic Church, this means that he has two separate yet united natures: human and divine. He was also sinless. He did not sin, and so could die on the Cross to redeem us from our sins.
What is necessary to be "valid" for this redemption? Firstly: all who genuinely know the Good News of the Lord and the news of his salvation must ask God to take away their sins, and believe (having faith) in Jesus and his death on the Cross. Secondly (and this is where the teaching of the Catholic and Protestant churches differs), they need to live and act out their faith by at least trying to keep from sin and engaging in good works. (James 2:20, "Faith without works is dead").
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