When I meet a person who seems to think they are good enough for God to overlook their sins, I sometimes present them with the scenario that their friend has been raped, the criminal has been caught and they are in the courtroom watching to see if justice is done. The rapist asks to speak and informs the judge that he is usually good and also helps his sick mother and gives to charity. So the judge lets him off, since he seems to do more nice things than mean things. Anyone can see that this judge was unjust—that man was not being tried for how he treated his sick mother, but for rape.

And many many people think that God will be like that bad judge. But God is a just judge, and no matter what we do, we cannot UNdo the sin we have already done. That is why we need forgiveness, and forgiveness only comes through Jesus taking the sentence the Judge passes down for your sins.

Have you accepted the forgiveness that Jesus offers?