Can a person be good enough to deserve God’s forgiveness? How good is good enough? We want to think we are not that bad, and there are people who are worse. If a person could be good enough, that would mean we earned His forgiveness. According to scripture, that is not possible.
It’s important to understand that you need God’s forgiveness. He made a plan so that you would not be accountable for your sin. Before you can apply His solution, you must believe that you need it.
When a person really understands what sin is, and it makes you guilty before God, coming to Him in faith becomes possible. Here are a few Bible verses on the subject and some questions for you to consider.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
–Romans 3:20
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
–Romans 3:23
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
–Ephesians 2:8-9
Below is a series of questions. Think about the answers, and then write them down.
Question 1 – Have you ever told a lie? It doesn’t matter if it was an itsy-bitsy or a big one. A lie is a lie. Take this opportunity to write down every lie you can remember telling.
Question 2 – Have you ever used God’s name or Jesus Christ’s name as a curse word? Yes or no will suffice.
Question 3 – Have you ever stolen anything? Value does not matter. Taking or keeping something that does not belong to you is stealing. I’d like you to list as many instances of stealing that you can remember.
Question 4 – Have you ever committed adultery? Yes or no. If yes, write down the number of times you did.
Question 5 – Have you ever wanted something that someone else had so badly that you would do or say anything to get it? Money, cars, houses, toys of various kinds, someone else’s mate, tools, clothing, etc. If you can remember it, write it down.
Question 6 – Have you ever murdered someone? Gasp!! “Of course not!” Don’t be quick to say no.
Take your time, and give this a great deal of thought. When you’re ready, check your answers.