We would probably be pleased if a famous biographer came to us and asked, “May I have permission to tell the story of your life in book form?” We might even be flattered at the request, marveling that a recognized author thought the story of our life was so interesting and valuable that others would want to read about its significance. 

But what if the publisher insisted upon such brutal honesty in the volume that no details would be spared? What if he said, “This biography must be so truthful as to include not only your accomplishments but also every foolish mistake, every misguided and selfish judgment, every act done in secret, every private conversation, and every impure thought? 

Would you still be grateful to have the biography distributed to the public? What if this record of the unknown intimacies of your life was given to your spouse or employer or colleague? You would undoubtedly be more ashamed than flattered. You might be famous but for the wrong reasons. 

who would need not to be ashamed to see his unedited life story in print. This person lived a life of such integrity that although nothing was hidden, nothing was amiss. His was a life of selfless love and blinding perfect uprightness. No one who observed his life could point an accusing finger at any breach of character or immoral behavior. He claimed to be perfectly blameless and he was. Such was the life of Jesus Christ that no fault could be found in Him - no fault of mind, attitude, deed or imagination. Here was a man who perfectly did love God with all His heart, mind, soul, and strength and also loved His neighbor with perfect love. Yet this completely innocent man suffered the tortuous death of a common criminal. For what purpose? So that His story could become yours. 

God had a purpose for the shameful death of Christ. The cross of Christ was God’s Way of allowing forgiveness to come to people who would be ashamed to have their stories published. God is loving, but He is also equally just. He cannot forgive the sin of people unless there is a just penalty paid for the sin. When Christ Jesus died such an ignoble death, being innocent and perfect in terms of His own life, He was dying in the place of those who deserved to be punished. God was writing a story in which the lives of sinners and their Savior would intersect. In this story, which the Bible calls the ‘Gospel’ or good news, the guilt of people can be assigned to Christ on the cross, and the perfect righteousness of Christ can be credited to the one who has broken God’s law. 

That first story which described everything that you had ever thought or done has a cover with your name on it. The second story which described everything that Christ had ever thought or done has a cover with His name on it.  Because of the cross of Calvary the book covers can be divinely exchanged. 

That story which causes shame is covered with the book cover that bears the name of Jesus Christ. The anger of God against sin falls upon your story as it is covered by Christ, and He is judged with the severest of penalties. 

And wonderfully, that story of perfect righteousness also gets a new cover. God takes the book cover that previously had entitled your story, and He puts it around the perfect life story of Christ. It is as though Christ’s story becomes mine and my story becomes His. The obedience of Christ makes us acceptable and loved before His father in heaven. God can forgive us because our sin was punished in the death of Christ. The Bible summarizes it this way, “God made Jesus to be sin for us when He knew no sin in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). The Bible tells us, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 3:23). 

Does this transaction take effect for all people? The Bible answers, “No”; “As many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them was given the right to become sons of God” (John 1:12). 

This transaction happens for the benefit of only those who personally embrace the gospel “by faith”. Faith means three things. First of all, I must be informed of the gospel. Secondly, I must give my confident assent that the gospel is true. Thirdly, faith means that I must surrender my life to Christ as He is offered to me in the gospel. 

What story will you present to God on the day of judgment? Will you trust in the goodness of your life or rely upon the righteousness of Christ’s life? 

The book covers can be switched if you come to Christ with saving faith. Tell God that you need this faith. Determine to continue asking until He gives what you need. “Those who come to Me, I will never cast away.”