I have heard several rock groups sing songs saying that we are innocent. I assume they mean that we are born innocent. In fact, the group Submersed has a song called To Peace and they say, “we are born innocent.” Our Lady Peace sings Innocent and they say, “we are all innocent.” Kutless has a song called Hearts of the Innocent where they describe young people as being innocent.
I love all three of these groups, but is it biblical to say that people are innocent? Let’s look at some Bible verses to find out. In Psalm 51:5 David says, “Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Romans 5:12 states, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” In Romans 3:10-12 the apostle Paul says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.”
Wow, these verses are very clear. We are not innocent. Not only does our sin render us guilty before our Holy God, look at what John 3:18 says: “He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:36 is even more blunt, “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Not only are unbelievers not innocent, they are guilty before a righteous Judge and they will face Him in His wrath on Judgment Day. God’s wrath is upon non-believers. If this is you today, please understand that you cannot save yourself. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from your sins. Only Jesus can save you.
Repent by turning away from your sins and believe in the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus walked on this earth around 2,000 years ago. He lived a perfect and sinless life. He suffered horribly and then died an excruciating death on the shameful cross for guilty sinners. He who knew no sin became sin for guilty sinners. You are guilty – not innocent before our righteous and Holy God. You are guilty, but Jesus paid your fine. Accept this amazing free gift today. Repent and put your faith in Jesus. Then God will see you as innocent through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.