Michael Dukakis received more votes for president four years ago than Bill Clinton did in 1992. George Bush defeated Dukakis for president while Bill Clinton was victorious over George Bush even though most of the people in the nation did not vote for Clinton.

It is not necessarily how many votes one gets to win, it’s how many in comparison to the other candidates.

In sports it is said that a good defense is the best offense. To win, one must score more points than their opponent. Some games are won by a score of only one to nothing and some are lost by a score of fifteen to fourteen.

For us to be accepted by the Lord Jesus Christ at the judgment seat, we must have done many things that pleased Him. By the same token, we must also have avoided or have been forgiven for the sins that would have offset our good works.

Jesus tells us that many will say to him, ”Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” His answer to them is ”I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Ezekiel explains to us how this can happen. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust in his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.”

The good news is that ”If the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.”

Paul tells us that ”we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” James tells us that ”he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

David will be in the Kingdom. He was a man after God’s own heart yet he committed some grievous sins. He was forgiven. His good works, his repentence, his contrite attitude will have offset the negatives in his life so that he will receive a crown of life.

We all have positives and negatives in our lives. WE need to realize that we need to do all that we possibly can do to serve our Lord. We also need to confess our sins knowing that he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ezekiel tells us that ”The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression:” Christ described those who had done many works in his name but he did not recognize them. Let us make sure that we have not offset our good works by our transgressions.

To the ecclesia in Pergamos our Lord wrote, ”I know thy works... and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith... but I have a few things against thee... Repent: or else I will come unto thee quickly.” May we have works and may we also have repented and been forgiven so that our Lord will find us among those who have ”overcome so that we may receive a white stone and in the stone a new name written.”