I believe I was riddled with sin.
I believe that though I did some good I wasn't good enough for God.
I believe that trying harder would never have overcome my sin.
And I believe that God hates sin.
I believe he cannot tolerate or overlook even one petty evil deed.
So I believe that until Jesus was born I was screwed - we all were.
I believe that Jesus lay down his life for us.
I believe that on the cross he became sin for us and received our judgment.
I believe that if we say sorry for the way we have lived and thank you for his sacrifice, we are completely forgiven and made able to start following him as we should.
This is why Catholicism distresses me. Because at the same time as praising Jesus and affirming the things I have written above, it spits in his face. In so many (subtle) ways, Catholicism says that Jesus' sacrifice was not enough, that we also need priests and Mary and saints to intercede for us, that we also need baptism and the Eucharist and penance and purgatory to be wholly saved.
He deserves greater honour than this. He deserves the honour given him by the angels "numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand" who in heaven sing:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:11, 12).