The Good, Bad and Ugly

Sometimes we are almost sure of certain people’s character. And based on our assessment, we label them as good or bad. But how do we see ourselves? Good? Well, if not good, certainly, we feel we are better than the others.

But what if we are to judge ourselves to a standard that really matters? Where will we stand?

Let us look at three people and their character resume as written in the Bible.

1. Cornelius (Acts 10) - A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
2. Zacchaeus (Luke 19) - And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3. Saul (Acts 9) - I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to [the Lord’s] saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on [the Lord’s] name.

Cornelius, known for his charitable works, and disciplined in his religious life, received a good report of all.

Zacchaeus was a government official who was corrupt to the core. He made himself rich through his position of authority. Even his own people hated him, for he oppressed his own people for gains and favour from the ruling government.

Saul was a zealous Jew. His religion blinded his eyes so much so that he would go to great lengths to protect his religion. He persecuted the minority group of people who left Judaism for Christianity, dragging them from their homes and putting them in jails. He even assented to the public stoning of one of the Christian. He is like the religious fanatics of our times today. Later in his life, he recognized himself as the chief of the sinners.

However, good, bad or ugly in conduct or character they may be, there was one thing they all needed – salvation!

The good Cornelius could not by his good works please God. He needed God to reveal to him that he must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

Zacchaeus could not through his influence, status or wealth save himself from his sins. He needed the Lord Jesus to bring salvation to his house.

Saul could not by his zeal for religion perfect himself before God. He needed to understand that the very Way he persecuted, was the only Way that could take him to the Father.

The Bible solemnly proclaims that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). This plain statement from God reveals to us the high standard of God. We all fall short of the glorious standard of God irrespective of our mightiest efforts. Our inability to save ourselves tell us that we need a Saviour.

For this very reason the Lord Jesus came into this world. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:17

This salvation is offered to all, irrespective of how good, bad or ugly in heart we are. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.