Once, while sharing the Gospel with a course mate in school, he claimed he does not commit sin and considered himself not a sinner. He boasted that he neither smoked nor drank alcohol, and he believed he always did what was right. He recounted a day spent at home reading the Bible, proudly stating that he had not sinned throughout that day. He continued to boast about his sinlessness, having grown up in the church and served from a young age.
Interestingly, many people today share this same belief in their own sinlessness. They perceive themselves as righteous because they do not engage in what they consider bad behavior. They don’t commit crimes, smoke, drink, engage in promiscuity, cheat, steal, or defraud anyone. They attend church on Sundays, and in their eyes, they are practically righteous.
Another group of individuals believes they are righteous due to their good deeds: helping the needy, giving to the poor, supporting the less privileged, aiding the handicapped, and giving offerings and tithes in church. This is troubling.
The critical question to consider is: If my self-righteousness was sufficient and acceptable to God, why then did Jesus have to come and die for the sins of the entire world?
The Bible explicitly states that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. As 1 John 2:2 declares, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” This indicates that Jesus came and died for everyone's sins, not just for a select group identified as sinners. Therefore, according to God, every person is a sinner from birth. No one is inherently righteous. As Scripture states, “No one is righteous—not even one” (Romans 3:10).
Furthermore, Romans 3:23 affirms, "Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Consequently, no one is righteous, regardless of how good, nice, pious, or saintly they may appear or claim to be.
Everyone needs a Savior, which is why Jesus came: "We have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14). Therefore, humble yourself and call on the Savior of the world to save you today.
Jesus the Savior stated in Mark 2:17, "Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
You must transition from believing you are righteous to acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of salvation for Jesus to cleanse you and make you righteous. What you require to be righteous in God's sight is the righteousness of Christ, not your own righteousness, which God views as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Mark 2:17 (AMP) says, “When Jesus heard this, He said to them, ‘Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but only those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness.’”
As long as you perceive yourself as righteous (spiritually healthy and free from sin), Jesus cannot save you from your sins. You must recognize that you are a sinner (spiritually sin-sick and in need of salvation) for Jesus to redeem you.
So my question to you today is: Are you spiritually healthy or sick? Do you need a doctor? Only Jesus saves from the sickness of sin. As Mark 2:17 (MSG) states, “Jesus, overhearing, shot back, ‘Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.’”
No other human, idol, or god can save anyone from sin-sickness—only JESUS CHRIST. Acts 4:12 reminds us, "There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus."
Call on Jesus today and be saved. You entered the world as a sinner, but Jesus has given you the privilege to leave this world as a righteous person. Embrace this chance today.
Shalom.
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