For the joy set before Him, He (Christ) endured the cross. (ref Heb. 12:2). You are that joy, He did that for you (1 Peter 3:9, 2 Thess. 2:14, 1 John 4:9). Not because you've earned it, but because of who He is.

A man's standpoint with God is as His enemy by default (Rom. 5:12,18,19. 1 Cor. 15:21). Psalm 5:5 tells us that God hate's all who do iniquity, and we know by experience and by the bible that all of us have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and all of us are fully deserving of God's wrath.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, - Romans 1:18

Since we all sin, we all fall under the category of deserving God's wrath. If you believe you have always done what is right and that you have never sinned, I pray the truth be revealed to you. But what about us who have sinned less than others, surely the rapist and the murder deserve God's wrath, but what about those whom have only committed little sins, or few sins? Let's read James 2:10:

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.  - James 2:10

Why is that? Why does even the common thief or the liar deserve condemnation. Well first off, because that is the way God has decreed it. God who has all authority has said it to be this way therefore it is. So if no other reason, because He said it, as we read in the above verses, validates it, no other reason or justification is needed. If I told you that you can't come in my house because I don't like the color of your shirt do I need to justify my reason? No, it's my house therefore it's mine to have control over. That said, understand that God is very loving (1 John 4:7-9), very kind (Rom. 2:4), patient, and ever enduring (Gal. 5:22-23), not wishing for any to perish. (2 Pet. 3:9).

So then why? Why would an everloving God allow someone to be condemned who has only committed what we label minor sins. That's just it, there are no "minor" sins. We may label them as minor, but in light of God's holiness they are huge. Even Isaiah, who not until he was before the presence of God, felt greatly and verily unclean (Isa. 6:5). You see, God's standards are not our standards. God demands us to be perfect, as Jesus puts it:

"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  - Matt. 5:48

So why does God hate sin so much? Because God hates anything that causes harm to His children. You loving your child hate it when your child does something to hurt themselves or their fellow siblings, God too hates it when His children do anything to harm themselves or their siblings. So the question is not why would God get so upset at sin, but rather how could a loving God be anything less than upset of the harm that comes to His children.

So understanding that we are not right with God what are our options? Can we correct this? Perhaps if we do enough good God will overlook our bad. First problem with this method is good works without God is still godlessness or ungodliness as we understand in the above mentioned verse (Romans 1:18) which God's wrath is against. Second, doing good doesn't remove the fact that we did bad. It doesn't matter how good you do, your sins remain and therefore you are not perfect and do not meet God's standards.

In light of this you might be asking then who can be saved? Even the disciples asked Jesus this question (Mark 10:26) and it's a valid question in light of what we've learned so far. God too knows this dilemma. For how can God in one hand put forth justice against the iniquity of man while in the other hand He can pass over their sins? How can He keep from compromising His standards while showing us mercy? He can't ignore His righteous decrees and He can't deny His love, for He is love, (1 John 4:8) and He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13). There was only one way (John 14:6).

Man can't save Himself and God can't deny His holiness, as He said in Romans 1:18, His wrath goes out against all ungodliness, against all unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18) to satisfy the righteous requirement of His statues. And so His wrath has gone out, but not against you, but against someone in your place. Against Jesus, His Son (Matt. 17:5).

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Cor. 5:21

  And Isaiah puts so accurately:

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
         He was crushed for our iniquities;
         The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
         And by His scourging we are healed.  - Isaiah 53:5

Jesus, the Son of God, came down in the flesh and lead a perfect, sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21). He came and fulfilled all the righteous requirements that God had laid forth that me and you failed to achieve. (Matt. 5:17). And though He deserved everything, He forfeited it (John 10:11, 18, 15:13), and instead carried your sin (2 Cor. 5:21, Isa. 53:5). Because He bore your sin God judged Him instead of you. God's wrath was going to be poured out regardless, but Jesus jumped in front of the bullet. Jesus took what you deserved being God's wrath against your sins, and took it on Himself. But that's not all, He took what He deserved being His kingdom and His righteousness, and He gave it to you. In the legal realm this is called switching records. The difference is, Jesus chose to gladly do this for you.

For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. (Heb. 12:2). You are that joy, He did that for you. The thought of restoring you into a relationship with Him brought Him joy enough that He endured the cross. Did we deserve it? No not at all. Most of us didn't even ask for it.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  - Romans 5:8

It's not that we sought Him, but that He sought us, and died for us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  - Romans 5:6

When the disciples, like we, asked who then can be saved? (Mark 10:26) Christ response tells all. 

Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."  - Mark 10:27

Jesus is the answer. God in His mercy withheld what you deserved, being His wrath, and poured it on Jesus, and in His grace He gave you what you don't deserve, that which only His beloved Son deserved, His favor and His kingdom. Is what He did fair? Not at all, for how is it fair that Jesus took the wrath and we reap His benefits. Is what He did just? Absolutely. God found a way to uphold His justice while satisfying His love. God found a way to satisfy his righteous judgment and sin was justly punished on the shoulders of Jesus Christ. God then transferred the righteousness of Christ on all who would accept Him thus giving us what Jesus Christ has, to be children of God, and so we are! (1 John 3:1).

God invites you to accept His gift, it's free, no conditions, and no strings attached. He will not force it on you as He desires those whom would choose Him not those forced to choose Him. But make no mistake, He waits eagerly, even on the edge of His chair to lavish His love on you.

Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
         And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you
         For the LORD is a God of justice;
         How blessed are all those who long for Him.  - Isaiah 30:18

Even the assembly of heaven waits eagerly for your restoration into a right relationship with God in what Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross.

"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.  - Luke 15:7

"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  - Luke 15:10

Whether you accept it or not, the fact is Christ successfully died for all your sins on the cross (Rom. 5:18). Not accepting it would be wasting the gift of life that Jesus Christ is offering. There is nothing you need to do to earn it, there is nothing you need to add to complete it. Jesus just wants you to take it. He offers this to you unconditionally. You do not need to make prior preparations, you do not need to get your heart right. Everything required of you to have a right standing with God has been fully completed by what Jesus has done on the cross. All you need to do is receive it so ask Him for it!

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  - Revelation 3:20

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  - John 6:37

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"  - Luke 11:13