Have you ever felt like you’re constantly being judged, like you’re never quite measuring up? It’s a feeling many of us know too well, especially when it comes to spirituality. There’s this idea floating around that God is some kind of cosmic scorekeeper, tallying up our rights and wrongs, ready to punish us at any misstep. But what if I told you that’s not the whole story? What if God is actually rooting for us, not waiting for us to fail?

The apostle Paul, who wrote a big chunk of the New Testament, had some pretty radical truths about this. In his letter to the Romans, he introduces a game-changing perspective: deep down, we all have this gut feeling that there’s a God out there (Romans 1:18-20). It’s like when you’re looking at the ocean or the vast expanse of the sky—there’s this sense of awe that whispers, “There’s something more than just us.” Paul argues that this isn’t just some random feeling; it’s a built-in nudge towards God. But here’s where it gets interesting. Paul says that this feeling isn’t meant to scare us into being good. Instead, it’s supposed to show us that God’s about love and kindness, not fear and punishment. He suggests that it’s the goodness of God that makes us want to do better, not the fear of getting smacked down from above (Romans 2:4).

Think about it: when someone does something genuinely nice for you, doesn’t it make you want to pass on that kindness? “Kind of like paying it forward.” That’s the kind of change God’s goodness is supposed to inspire in us. Paul goes on to tackle a big myth: that we need to be perfect for God to love us. He’s pretty clear that’s not the case. We can’t do it on our own; we need help, and that help comes in the form of Jesus (Romans 1:16). Our relationship with God isn’t about keeping a perfect score; it’s about accepting the help He offers us through Jesus. And here’s a truth bomb Paul drops: even people who say they don’t believe in God find themselves reaching out to Him in tough times. It’s almost like, no matter how much we try to deny it, there’s a part of us that knows we’re meant to be connected to something bigger than ourselves.

This, Paul says, proves that deep down, everyone knows about God and our need for Him. So, what’s the takeaway? It’s pretty hopeful. Paul’s saying you’re not a lost cause. You’re not out of reach of God’s love. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, there’s a place for you. This love from God isn’t something you have to earn; it’s a free gift. We just need to accept it, lean on God’s goodness, and let that kindness transform us. That’s the real deal about the Gospel, and it’s good news for everybody.