I led a pretty wild life before I asked Christ to come into my life and clean it up (which He did, thankfully). But is God going to condemn me on the day of judgment for all the bad things I used to do? — L.K.

No, God isn't going to condemn you for those sins, and the reason is because you have trusted Christ for your salvation, and He has forgiven all your sins -- all of them. The Bible says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

Do you remember the criminals who were crucified with Jesus? He didn't deserve to die for He hadn't committed any crime -- but they had, and under Roman law they deserved death. One of them sneered at Jesus and mocked Him -- but the other turned to Jesus in faith and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

Think about this man for a moment. He couldn't go back and change the past; he had committed horrible crimes, and he deserved nothing but God's judgment. But Jesus said he would be with Him in heaven anyway -- because he had turned to Christ for the forgiveness he needed. The same is true of you.

Thank God for His mercy and grace toward you -- grace that is greater than all your sins. Now you can say with the psalmist, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand" (Psalm 40:2). Ask God to strengthen your faith, and to use you to tell others about the new life Christ has given you.