The Naughty List

One year, in the midst of the Christmas season, I read a church sign that prompted a great deal of thought. I don’t remember the exact wording, but the sign said something along the lines of, “Don’t worry about Santa, God also has a naughty and nice list.”

Friends, this simply is not true.

This was probably not the church’s intent, but this phrase can promote the idea of works-based salvation. Sadly, this is how many Christians live their lives and try to walk with God. We think that if we do enough good works for God and get on His “nice list,” He will like us and let us into Heaven. We think that we can earn His love.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 130:3, “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” The answer is that no one could. The Bible tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). If God had a naughty list, we’d all be on it. No matter how hard we may try, apart from Christ, we cannot change or overcome our sinful nature.

We can be thankful, however, because God doesn’t have a naughty list; He has the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those whose names are written in this book are not the men and women who gave all their money to charity, never cussed, or taught Sunday School for 70 years. No, the only way for your name to be written in Heaven is if you have been saved by Jesus.

Despite our sinfulness, Jesus came and died for us (Romans 5:8). Now, we can take on Jesus’ right standing with God (2 Corinthians 5:21). No more do we have to constantly strive, hoping we just might measure up. Salvation was paid for in full by Jesus on the cross.

Jesus said that on judgment day, many will remind Him of all the works they have done, but in the end, Jesus will tell them He never knew them (Matthew 7:22-23). This is harsh and uncomfortable, but it is true. There are many people who may be on Santa’s nice list and be “good people,” but it is only by believing in Jesus that we can have life. Please don’t depend on yourself for your standing with God, because you will never measure up. Run to Jesus, for He alone can save.

“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5