The Good Person Test
Most people think they are good. But we must ask, good by whose standard?
Our own standard is not enough. God is the final Judge. He sees all things and knows every heart. God is perfect, holy, and good. His standard is perfect righteousness. The Bible says that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).
Sin is disobeying God. Sin includes wrong actions, wrong words, wrong thoughts, and wrong desires. God gave His law to show us what is right and wrong (Exodus 20:1–17; Romans 3:20).
Test Yourself by God’s Law
Be honest. God cannot be fooled.
Have you always loved God above everything else? Have you ever worshipped a false god, or made your own idea of God? Have you ever used God’s name, or Jesus’ name, carelessly or disrespectfully? Have you always honoured God with your time, worship, and life? Have you always honoured your father and mother? Have you ever hated someone? God says hatred is like murder in the heart (1 John 3:15). Have you ever looked with lust? Jesus said lust is adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Have you ever stolen anything, even something small? Have you ever lied, even once? Have you ever strongly desired something that belonged to someone else?
These commandments show us that we are not innocent. If we have broken God’s law, we have sinned against Him.
Because God is good and just, He must punish sin. The Bible says the payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). It also says that after death comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). God’s final punishment for sin is Hell (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:14–15).
Many people think good works can remove their guilt. But good works cannot erase sin. A guilty criminal cannot stand before a good judge and say, “I have also done many good things.” The judge must still deal with the crime.
Many people also think that being sorry is enough. We should be sorry for sin, and we should turn from it. But sorrow alone cannot pay for sin. A good judge does not ignore crime just because the criminal feels sorry.
So the question is this:
How can guilty people be forgiven by a holy and just God?
The Good News
God made a way for sinners to be forgiven.
God loved the world and gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He became truly human. He lived a perfect and sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). He never sinned in thought, word, or action.
Then Jesus willingly died on the cross. He did not die for His own sin, because He had no sin. He died for sinners. The Bible says that Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
On the cross, Jesus took the punishment sinners deserve. He suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). God placed our sin on Christ, so that we could receive righteousness through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. Many witnesses saw Him alive after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–6). His resurrection shows that He is Lord, that His sacrifice was accepted, and that He has power over death.
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God can forgive sinners without ignoring justice. Salvation is not based on our goodness. It is based on Jesus Christ and what He has done.
What Must You Do?
God commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day when He will judge the world (Acts 17:30–31).
To repent means to turn from sin and turn to God. It is more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind and heart.
To believe in Jesus means to trust Him. Do not trust your own goodness, religion, prayers, good works, or efforts. Trust Jesus Christ alone.
The Bible says there is salvation in no one else, because there is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). It also says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Come to God as a guilty sinner. Confess your sin. Turn from sin. Trust in Jesus Christ alone.
If you repent and believe in Him, God will forgive you, make you right with Him, and give you eternal life.
The Bible says the payment for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Do not wait. Turn to God today. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. Then read the Bible and learn to follow Him.