We’re Good People — What Sins Do We Need Forgiven? (Bible Answer)
Summary
Many people believe that being kind, moral, or “not that bad” is enough in God’s eyes. But the Bible defines people very differently. According to Scripture, humanity ultimately falls into two categories: those whose sins are forgiven and those whose sins are not. This study explains how the Bible defines “righteous” and “wicked,” why even good people need forgiveness, and what this means for our relationship with God. Jesus explained that sin begins in the heart, meaning even our thoughts can fall short of God’s standard.
Contents (Jump Links)
1. Are We Really Good in God’s Eyes?
Mark 10:18 [Jesus:] “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.”
God views things differently than people do. His evaluation of a person is strictly based on their accepting or rejecting Him:
"Wicked" - refers to the person whose sins have not been forgiven.
"Righteous" - refers to the person whose sins have been forgiven.
So even in extreme cases, you could be the best person on earth, but if your sins are not forgiven, then in the eyes of God you are "wicked". Or you could be the worst person on earth, but if your sins are forgiven, then in the eyes of God you are "righteous".
The above statements are from many verses in the Bible. Examples:
"Wicked" example:
Psalm 10:4
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him.
In Scripture, “the wicked” are consistently described as those who do not seek God and remain in sin rather than turning to Him for mercy.
"Righteous" example:
Matthew 5:20
Jesus: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
The scribes and Pharisees were known for strict religious behavior and outward obedience to the law. Yet Jesus said that even their level of “righteousness” was not enough. True righteousness is not achieved by perfect behavior, but by having our sins forgiven by God. This is why Jesus taught us to ask for forgiveness daily in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4). This teaching is explained in more detail in my Bible study: The Lord' Prayer is Severely Misunderstood.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
2. Why Even “Good People” Are Sinners (According to the Bible)
You may ask, "but if one is the nicest person on earth, how can he also be a sinner?" Being the best person on earth doesn't automatically mean the best person in the eyes of God. There are sins that became accepted in today's cultures, but are offensive to God. And there are inner sins that only God sees.
Matthew 5:28
Jesus: But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 John 1:8-10
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Many Christians today are thinking, we’re good people, never hurt anyone, keeping to ourselves… what sins do we need forgiven? But the reality is, we all start sinning the moment we wake up in the morning. The brain takes us in all kinds of directions:
Mark 7:21-23
For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Matthew 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Notes: In today's world, movies, TV shows, social media, are all filled with images causing people to sin. All sexual immorality is sin. Just because the world made it norm, doesn't mean God accepted it!
The Bible says we are sinners by nature, ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. So Christians and non-Christians, all sin. But for true-Christians, as long as they genuinely repent, always seek God in the Bible, and pray the Lord's Prayer daily to receive the Bread of life for forgiveness (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4), they remain in Jesus, and Jesus remains in them. And those Christians remain belonging to Jesus:
John 15:4
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Since before the foundation of the world, God’s main objective has been to provide a redemption for our sins. This is the purpose behind both the Jewish and Christian faiths—the Old Testament and the New Testament.
3. Forgiveness of Sins — The Foundation of Our Relationship With God
It is all about the forgiveness of sins. The forgiveness of sins is the main pillar of our Christian faith. It was the only reason for Jesus' miserable suffering and death on the cross. Without it there is no relationship with God.
It is very clear throughout Scripture that God’s main focus was always on providing a solution for sins. Because it is the only way to reconcile us to Him; without it we're all doomed to hell. He knew this since before creation, then devised His plan and executed it perfectly throughout history. What was the whole purpose of the Jewish religion and the Mosaic law? Redemption (old covenant). What was the main purpose of the coming of Jesus and dying on the cross? Redemption (new covenant). He chose to do it in two parts over time like this; we may not have all the answers as to why, but we trust His infinite wisdom.
4. Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness of Sins
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches a daily prayer of seeking God’s provision and forgiveness—something later reinforced when He commanded that His teachings be passed on to the whole world (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4; Matthew 28:20).
This article provides Bible specific details of how Jesus explained the forgiveness of our sins. It is to be studied carefully, not skimmed: The Lord's Prayer Is Severely Misunderstood
If a person keeps on living their "perceived good" life without praying the Lord's Prayer, eventually God gives up on her/him. This person would become spiritually dead - spiritually distant from God. Then this person becomes "wicked" in the eyes of God.
Isaiah 57:21
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Today's world is full of unbelievers, sadly including the so called Christians / churchgoers, whose sins have not been forgiven, called wicked by God. And therefore, no peace on earth. And getting worse as time goes by and more and more are staying in churches with evil theologies, or leaving churches and becoming atheists. The Bible says it will continue in this direction until the "abomination of desolation" happens. This term is mentioned in many places in the Bible; it is related to the antichrist. See my link on End Times.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
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