No one really thinks they’re okay. You can pretty much assume everyone is condemned by his or her own conscience. Paul put it this way: “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” (Romans 2:14-15)

There is a natural moral law built into everyone, and we all know we are not living up to it. The problem is we are — all of us – in denial, distraction and cover-up. It’s not that we don’t all know we need help; it’s more that we distract ourselves so we don’t have to face into our need. We must all be shown up for the frauds that we really are.

And how do you do that? Well there is a history of great revival movements where evangelists preached people into a deep “conviction of sin.” But is this the only way? It may be a way for preachers, but I’m not sure it’s what we use with our neighbors and friends who do not know Christ. So what do you do with this information?

First, you know it about yourself, so that when you tell your story, there is no arrogance or pride in it. Secondly, when you say you need Jesus, you are saying something everyone knows, but few admit. No need to hit anyone over the head with this. Just tell your story, and in your story, those seeking the truth will see it. You don’t have to convict anyone; their own consciences will do it for you.

Think of it as a secret you know about everyone regardless of what they say. Everyone needs Jesus. Paul couldn’t have said it any clearer: “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Romans 11:32).

Actually art, music, drama and film do a pretty good job of discovering this when they are at their best. Good art doesn’t club people over the head with their sin, it reveals the weaknesses and insecurities in everyone. To do this (and here’s where you and I come in) you don’t have to point a finger, just be honest with your own cover-up. No one can watch a human being come apart without coming apart a little as well.

No one can say it more clearly than Paul; no one can sing it any more clearly than this guy here.

Ain’t No Man Righteous (No Not One)
by Bob Dylan

 When a man he serves the Lord, it makes his life worthwhile.
 It don’t matter ’bout his position, it don’t matter ’bout his lifestyle.
 Talk about perfection, I ain’t never seen none
 And there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.
 
 Sometimes the devil likes to drive you from the neighborhood.
 He’ll even work his ways through those whose intentions are good.
 Some like to worship on the moon, others are worshipping the sun
 And there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.
 
 Look around, ya see so many social hypocrites
 Like to make rules for others while they do just the opposite.
 
 You can’t get to glory by the raising and the lowering of no flag.
 Put your goodness next to God’s and it comes out like a filthy rag.
 In a city of darkness there’s no need of the sun
 And there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.
 
 Done so many evil things in the name of love, it’s a crying shame
 I never did see no fire that could put out a flame.
 
 Pull your hat down, baby, pull the wool down over your eyes,
 Keep a-talking, baby, ’til you run right out of alibis.
 Someday you’ll account for all the deeds that you done.
 Well, there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.
 
 God got the power, man has got his vanity,
 Man gotta choose before God can set him free.
 Don’t you know there’s nothing new that’s under the sun?
 Well, there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.
 
 When I’m gone don’t wonder where I be.
 Just say that I trusted in God and that Christ was in me.
 Say He defeated the devil, He was God’s chosen Son
 And that there ain’t no man righteous, no not one.