Illinois used to have a governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of having seriously abused his political power and was in the process of being impeached. He was very articulate in defending himself, saying he was unjustly accused and hadn’t done anything worthy of being kicked out of office or going to prison. Then, he was voted 59 to zero by both Republicans and Democrats to be impeached – a universal, overwhelming vote of judgment. He was doomed. They said he was guilty. He said he was not.

Sadly, that situation represents how most people are with God. We look around at others and think, “Well, I’m not as bad as they are. I’m pretty good most of the time, so I should be able to get into heaven.” “You see, me and God, we’ve got an agreement. We’ve got things worked out.” Let me make this clear – if you feel you can be right with God in your “own” way, you’re going to get to the end of your life, stand before God, and the vote will be unanimous: you’ll be doomed. All of us are sinners, yet amazingly, God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins – to be a substitute in facing the sentence we actually deserve. So, if we feel like there is any way we can receive salvation other than through Jesus Christ, we are showing blindness to our own sinful ignorance. It’s absolutely appalling to God.

Continue on that course and you’re doomed. But God’s Word gives us some great news. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

In the end, will you be doomed or forgiven?