Christianity explains the global stain of human guilt by placing it in a theological framework that not only sharpens its sting, but makes relief possible. Sin is a moral condition that offends the holiness of God and removes us from his approval. Although David had wronged a throng of people, the root of his error was disobedience to God's holy law. Although polls tell us that over ninety percent of Americans believe in God, most people do not connect God's holiness with their uneasy conscience. We have broken the Lawgiver's law.
Law breakers deserve punishment.
Sin against God, being a violation of infinite obligations, must be a crime infinitely heinous, and deserving of infinite punishment. God, who is angry with sin, could justifiably send the unrepentant sinner to hell at any moment. To fully fathom the horror of sin and the holiness of God we must kneel before the cross of Christ. Although Jesus is the supreme moral example because of his perfect obedience to his heavenly Father, this does not exhaust his work on behalf of our salvation. The Scriptures command us to be like Christ, but this is never presented as the basis of our salvation.