There’s a joke that goes like this. A man gets to heaven and after being there a couple of weeks he stops somebody to ask a question. He says, “what’s up with that guy over there? He walks around with his head in the air like he’s better than everybody else.” The other replies, “well if you were the only lawyer in heaven you’d probably act that way too.”
You see sometimes we have this misconception about the value of sin. Sometimes people have this idea that they are the worst sinners. I’ve heard, “if I walk in that church the roof will cave in.” These are those that would weigh their sin out and think that it is too big to be forgiven. The Word says in Proverbs 11:1 (NHEB) A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
So let’s compare sin in an accurate way and balance it against grace
Let me introduce you to someone. The Apostle Paul. He would say this. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NET).
Paul lays claim here that he was the worst sinner, but God showed his mercy in him to demonstrate how gracious He is.
There’s some others I’d like to introduce you to. Let’s look in Matthew 27:21-23 (NET) The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” He asked, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!”
Don’t you realize that there were people in this crowd that were in the crowd in Acts chapter 2? These were people that demanded Jesus be crucified. We can verify this through what Peter said. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:36 NHEB).” He calls them out that they crucified Jesus. Yet the next few verses we see grace in action.
Acts 2:37-39 (KJV) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
When asked what they should do, Peter didn’t say, “there’s no hope, you’ve gone too far.” No, he shows the way of salvation and tells them the promise is for them.
These were both examples of those that had done way more than you’ve ever done. Yet they received grace.
Furthermore I’ll say what is it that you’ve done that you think is greater than the sacrifice Jesus has made? What gives your sin more value than the blood of Jesus? I’ll answer that for you. Nothing!
So stop using your own inaccurate understanding and self measurement of your sin. Bring your sin to the Cross of Christ and leave it there. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19 KJV).
Romans 5:20 KJV …where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.