Click the player above to see the video then read the article below.
I’m a history guy, and I love studying the past. I find it fascinating and instructive.
One of the things I try to do when I peek at the past is to try to determine how am I doing in this thing called life when compared to those who came before me.
Am I a good person?
I can certainly look back in history and see a whole bunch of people who were worse than me — a lot worse.
Does that make me good?
Am I a bad person?
I can also look back in history and see a whole bunch of people who were better than me — a lot better.
Does that make me bad?
Which is it?
I think I’m pretty good, but I have to admit I am a little biased in my favor. I have done some bad things but for some reason I tend to overlook them and just focus on the good.
So, where do I stand in the grand tapestry of human history?
Am I good or am I bad?
It’s an important question, because the Bible says one day each one of us will stand before God to be judged.
“… it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, …”
Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)
Judgment doesn’t sound fun. Is God going to hold me responsible for the bad stuff I’ve done? Or will He let me slide because I think I’ve done some good things.
How do I decide how that day of judgment will turn out?
The fact is, I’m not the one who decides. The one who decides is God.
His view of me … in fact, His view of all of us is shared in the verse presented in the video at the top of this page and in the passage below.
“… None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:9-12 (ESV)
That doesn’t sound like a good position to be in when it comes time for judgment.
If that isn’t clear to you, consider:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
“All” is a pretty clear statement as to my condition … and, I should point out, your condition as well.
All have sinned. None righteous. No, not one.
That sounds like just about everyone. Perhaps that’s my defense.
If everyone falls into that category, surely it can’t be that big of a deal to God.
“For the wages of sin is death …”
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
Death?
Okay, perhaps it is a big deal.
What can I do about it?
Well, let me finish that last verse I shared.
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
One day, we will be judged by God, and we will realize that we aren’t righteous and that we deserve death.
It’s a problem we can’t solve.
But God has provided the solution. His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the price for our sins, and now He offers us eternal life.
“… Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved …”
Acts 16:31 (ESV)
and
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
John 1:12 (ESV)
Not Even One