The familiar question, “Why to do good things happen to bad people” was asked of Dr. R.C. Sproul. His answer was shocking:
“Well, that only happened once. And He volunteered.”
Sproul was, of course, referring to Jesus as the only good person and His crucifixion on the cross of Calvary.
Jesus was the only person who never sinned (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Among the rest of humanity, there is no one who is righteous (see Romans 3:10). Every human being has sinned (see Romans 3:23).
Sproul’s point changed the conversation but makes an important point that reminds us of a critical truth: In God’s eyes, we are not good, but that doesn’t stop Him from loving us enough to offer up His not just good, but perfect Son as the one who would take the just punishment for us.
No, we are not good, but we are made righteous in God’s eyes because the death of Jesus atoned for our sins and His righteousness is credited to us. God the Father looks at us and sees Jesus. He looks at the cross and sees us.
That is overwhelming mercy and grace we do not deserve but desperately need.
Ponder that.