The Word of God knows nothing about that cliché which says in essence, "Be as good as you can and the Lord will accept you." The Scriptures proclaim, "It shall be perfect to be accepted" (Leviticus 22:21). Every man stands before God either righteous or wicked. In Christ, we are perfect and therefore accepted; but outside of Christ there is only vile corruption and therefore divine rejection. How good must we be for God to accept us? Hear the word of the Lord, "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). In Christ we are!