In Acts 3, we read about Peter and John healing a crippled beggar at the temple gate called Beautiful. The beggar asked them for money, but he received a priceless gift instead. Peter told him, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Then he stood up, walking, jumping, and praising God. Everyone was astonished by this and looked in awe at Peter and John. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."
Are we any different from the beggar when it comes to sin? We are crippled, unable to stand on our own righteousness because we have none. Who can claim to be without sin? Who therefore can escape God's righteous judgment when they are called to account for their sins? It is only through "Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him" that we stand reconciled to God. Jesus "has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
If you think your sins are too many and you have no hope of redemption, consider the apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus). He says in Acts 22:4 that he "persecuted the followers of this Way (Christians) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison". In other words, he was a murderer - yet God chose him to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. If a man like Paul was not beyond redemption, surely there is hope for even the worst of sinners. I think God chose him for exactly that reason, to be an example of hope to those who might think they are beyond hope.
In Romans 14:4, Paul writes "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." No matter who you are, no matter how many mistakes you have made, God can make you stand!
