Pastor Harry Ironside asked a man if he was sure he was going to heaven. "No, I can't say that I am," the man answered, "but I would like to be."

"And just why do you want to be saved?" Ironside responded. "Do you realize that you're a sinner?"

"Yes," the man replied, "but I'm not what you would call a bad sinner. In fact, I'd have to say I'm a rather good one."

Think of it--a good sinner! That's a contradiction in terms! Sin is sin, and any transgression is bad enough to separate us from a holy and righteous God for all eternity (Rom. 3:23).

Isaiah 64:6 states, "All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags." We all stand in need of the saving grace of God. It makes no difference how few sins we may have committed, or how respectable we may be in the eyes of others. Until we are willing to admit our guilt, we are just as lost as anyone else, no matter how good we may appear to be.

Friend, if you're not sure you're going to heaven, admit your "lostness." Place your trust in Christ, who died on the cross for your sins. You can know complete forgiveness and deliverance through faith in Him (Rom. 3:21-28).

Actually, we're all bad sinners. But through faith in Christ, we can be made truly good!  — Richard De Haan