If you asked a hundred people whether they considered themselves to be good, most would probably answer yes. But have you ever wondered how God defines a “good person”? Does He use the same standard we do? The following questions are based on God’s moral standards as revealed in the Bible. They aren’t meant to embarrass or condemn you, but to help you honestly evaluate yourself from God’s perspective. Take a few moments to answer each question as honestly as you can. You may be surprised by what you discover.
- Have you ever failed to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind? (Luke 10:27)
- Have you ever failed to love your neighbor? (Luke 6:31; 10:27)
- Have you ever been drunk? (Ephesians 5:18)
- Have you stolen something that wasn’t yours? (Exodus 20:15)
- Have you lied? (Exodus 20:16)
- Have you had sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse? (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10)
- Have you ever entertained lustful, adulterous thoughts in your mind? (Matthew 5:28)
- Has any “perverse speech” proceeded from your mouth? (Proverbs 8:13; Ephesians 4:29)
- Have you been arrogant or prideful? (Proverbs 8:13; 16:5; Galatians 6:3)
- Have you paid all your taxes? (Romans 13:6–7)
- Have you lived your life in subjection to the government—that is, obeyed the laws of the land? (Romans 13:1–2)
- Have you hungered after—or coveted—something that didn’t belong to you? (Exodus 20:17)
- Have you ever replaced a four-letter vulgar word with the name of Jesus? (Exodus 20:7)
- Have you ever disobeyed or dishonored your parents? (Exodus 20:12)
- Have you murdered anyone, or even had harsh thoughts about someone? (Matthew 5:22)
- Have you ever used anything as an object of worship or veneration? (Exodus 20:4)
- Have you ever given allegiance to anything else over God in your life? (Exodus 20:3)
How did you do?
If you answered “Yes” to even one of these questions, then according to God’s perfect standard, you have sinned. The Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Like every other person who has ever lived, you stand in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Unless our sins are forgiven, we will one day stand before God in judgment. Those who reject His gracious offer of salvation through Jesus Christ will be judged according to their deeds, justly condemned, and separated from His presence forever in hell (Romans 2:5; Revelation 20:15). God takes sin seriously because He is perfectly holy—but the wonderful news is that He loves sinners.
That’s why Jesus came into the world. He lived the perfect life we could never live, then willingly died on the cross to bear the punishment our sins deserve. Three days later He rose from the grave, proving that His sacrifice was accepted and that He has power over sin and death. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The question now is: What will you do with Jesus? If you would like to know how you can receive God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life, click here to learn how you can be saved today.
