Imagine if every single mistake you ever made was written on a paper and taped to your back for everyone to see. All the times you lied, got mad at your brother or sister, disobeyed your parents, or said something mean. How would that feel? How embarrassing would that be?

Here’s the amazing news: Nobody is perfect! Every single person has done things wrong. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That includes you, me, your parents, your teacher, and everyone you know!

So what happens to all those mistakes? Do they just pile up on your back forever, getting heavier and heavier until you can’t even move? NO WAY! That’s where Jesus comes in! When Jesus died on the cross, He took all those mistakes—all those sins—and paid for them Himself. It’s like He took that heavy pile of papers off your back and said, “I’ll carry these for you!”

When you ask Jesus to forgive you, He does! God completely forgives you and washes you clean. It’s like those mistakes never even happened! The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). You get to start fresh and clean!

Think About It: Have you ever done something wrong and felt really bad about it? Maybe you’re still feeling guilty about something you did. Here’s the good news—you don’t have to carry that guilt around anymore! Tell God you’re sorry, ask Him to forgive you, and trust that He does! When God forgives you, you’re totally free from guilt. That’s way better than any New Year’s resolution!