One of the hardest realities for us to embrace is the forgiveness of God. We say we believe it, yet many of us quietly wrestle with doubts: Has God really forgiven me? Can I truly start over? At the same time, we can look at others and wonder, Can that person really change?

Both struggles reveal a deeper issue at play: the subtle danger of self-righteousness.

When we look at someone else’s past and conclude they are beyond redemption, we forget a central truth: forgiveness was never about what we deserve. God’s forgiveness is not earned or handed to those with the cleanest record; it is given freely to those who believe, because of Jesus.

Self-righteousness whispers that we’re “better now” because of our efforts, that Christ died for us because we somehow earned it. Scripture humbles us:

We didn’t clean ourselves up first. We didn’t prove our worth. Grace did the work. When we forget this, we start grading others on a scale God never uses.

Paul went from fierce persecutor to faithful apostle. At first, believers doubted him (see Acts 9:26), but God saw differently.

Paul’s story proves no one is beyond the reach of grace.

The heart of forgiveness isn’t found in how good or bad we think someone is; it’s found in the power of the cross.

In Jesus’ parable, the Pharisee trusted in his own goodness; the tax collector simply cried for mercy. Only one left forgiven. Self-righteousness blinds us; humility opens the door to grace.

• None of us deserved grace yet God freely gave it.
• Forgiveness is complete no matter the depth of the sin.
• If God could change Paul, He can change anyone.