People don’t want
To think or say
Judgment Day,
But it’s on the way.

As humans we tend to compare ourselves to people who are doing or have done some of the worst things we can imagine. Thus, by that comparison, we can state and believe the common human claim: “I’m a good person.” However, according to the Bible, that line of reasoning is based on deception.

The Bible boldly states: “There is none righteous, no not one,” “There is none good but the Father,” and “All your righteousness is as filthy rags.” In the light of those verses, who is “a good person”? No one!

Deceiving myself into falsely believing that I’m a good person, is not the way to prepare for Judgment Day. Just the opposite. Believing that I’m a good person sets me up to ignore God’s mercy and instead to stand before Him in my own misguided sense of righteousness. That would be a disaster!

Instead, I need to confess my sin (unrighteousness) and receive God’s forgiveness that comes through His grace provided by the blood of Jesus. That’s the only plea that will satisfy God’s justice. In Christ, I’m a “new creature,” but in my flesh (my human nature and self-based desires) I’m the “wretched man” that Paul describes.

When Judgment Day comes for me, I need God’s mercy, not His justice. His justice would give me just what I deserve (what I’ve earned by my thoughts, words, and behaviors) and would separate me from God forever. However, His blood-bought mercy (O what a price!) will cover me with His righteousness and open the gates for an eternal relationship with Him. Even today in the comfort of my home, my plea before God is Jesus and His mercy, and not any right behavior of my own.