When talking to people about the sure coming judgment of God on the world, far too often people will talk about their hope that God will simply weigh their good against the bad. They will compare themselves to a murderer or some other criminal and believe that in the grand scheme of things, God could not judge them the same as He would some that has committed a capital crime. Now the Bible does seem to indicate that there will be levels of judgment based on sin. But the question we are trying to answer is whether we can do enough good to the point of earning God’s blessings and then not be judged for the sins we have committed.

Before we look at what the Bible says, let’s consider how the idea of good outweighing bad would work out in a court of law. Take for example someone that lived a good life for thirty years, let’s say, then made a huge mistake to rob a bank. Let’s imagine that the person got away with it at first but in the process of time investigators caught the thief. 

As our story continues, after some time in jail, the court date arrived and the man pleaded guilty but then begged the judge to be merciful. The man went on to prove to the judge how he lived a life without crime for years and then even donated most of the money he had stolen to the poor! What do you suppose the judge would do? We might think he should be merciful but what kind of precedence would this set? I could see the judge showing some grace but there is no chance the man would be freed from all consequences of his actions! All the good the man did before robbing the bank, the good he did with the money and the good he did after could not make it so the crime had never been committed.

Now let us see what the Bible says. Reading in the Book of Romans in chapter 2:5-6  “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.  (6)  He will render to each one according to his works:” So we see that our sins are being stored up in account and one day held against us. Now what about the idea of “becoming a good person”? Can that not be taken into consideration? Let’s again read in chapter three of Romans and verse 20. “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” So according to this passage “law keeping” or “trying to be a good person” simply magnifies how bad the sins are that we committed. Dear friend, I know that so far we have only heard bad news but I do promise that good news is coming. But before we look at the solution, I want you to know that so far we have only been talking about actual deeds done. The reality is that not only does God see things that we have done, but He also sees the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Now that should wake up even those claiming to be “good people”. 

But here is the good news. God knew that every single one of us would be too weak to earn forgiveness and for that reason provided a way for us to be saved from wrath. Jesus Christ was born as a child with all the ability to sin but lived a sinless life. He always did the things that were pleasing to God and then when he was put on the cross, he took your sins on Him and died in your place. You deserved to die because of your sins but Jesus paid the fine. You are now free to go and exercise your faith in Christ.