Of Camels and Needles and Such

Have you ever heard the testimony of someone who turned to Christ and was delivered from a life of addiction or crime?  Do you know anyone who thinks that they are a good person and deserve to go to heaven?  There are times when I think some unbelievers who are obviously "bad" may have a spiritual advantage over others who have always been relatively "good."  That sounds outrageous, but let me explain.  No one deserves to go to heaven.  We all need a savior.  None of us is really good, but for some folks it is easier to see their need than others.  Jesus said, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  (Mathew 19:24 NIV)  The rich man depends on his wealth and therefore overlooks his need for Jesus, and sometimes the "good" man does the same.  Anyone who depends on their own goodness to save them will be disappointed though.  Isaiah 64:6 says, "but we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade like the leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."  No one is an exception to this save Jesus who in His perfection was able to substitute himself for us as the Bible tells us.  "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:5)   The problem is that many people refuse to admit the guilt that they should be punished for, and will be punished for if they do not accept his gift of forgiveness.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."  (John 3:36)  People who can plainly see the sin in their lives can repent, unlike those who think their offenses are inconsequential.  Telling a lie or spreading gossip is just as much of a sin as murder or robbery.  Sometimes we sin without even knowing it.  On our own we are held accountable for it all.  That is why I am so thankful Jesus came to save me.  In the sermon on the mount Jesus tells us that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause is in danger of judgement, and that looking at someone lustfully is adultery of the heart. (Matthew 5) No one is without sin, but there is a sinless Savior waiting to remove the guilt of those who are willing to admit their wrong and trust in Him.  Thank you, Jesus!