No matter what you have done, you can be forgiven—if you turn to Jesus.

Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:12-18

How does a person become righteous in God’s eyes? The path to redemption doesn’t begin with a decision to live a better life or to stop doing something wrong. Rather, it starts with the realization that we cannot correct our sinful nature on our own. It’s impossible to make ourselves righteous; we must depend on Jesus’ work on the cross. God applies the benefit of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice and adopts you into His family.

Your good works and righteous acts are a sign of a transformed heart, but they cannot earn salvation. Scripture tells us that being saved is “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:9). When you stand before God, the only way you can be forgiven of your sins is through Jesus and His sacrificial, substitutionary atoning death at Calvary. The Savior came to give His life in order to rescue many (Mark 10:45). His actions show His immense love for mankind.

No matter what you have done, you can be cleansed of the stain left by sin. Confess any known transgressions to the Lord and turn from them. Then Jesus will forgive you and write your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). By trusting in Him, you are assured of eternity in His presence.