Sunday, October 23, 2011

How Good Is Good Enough?

Standing in church Sunday morning, singing a song that begs God to pour out His grace and mercy into my life, I was so thankful for the freedom found in Christ. I am done worrying about being good enough, or not good enough, to freely approach the throne. The Book of Hebrews tells us that is through confidence in Christ that we can come to God...He made the way for me, and I get to live in the freedom that brings. I felt sad for those still struggling, still in darkness, still trying to earn God's favor.

Andy Stanley has a small book by the name, How Good Is Good Enough, which examines the question of how we get to Heaven. According to a survey on Christian Answers, 60% of people surveyed feel they are going to Heaven because they are good enough.


I have to believe that most of those who say they are headed to Heaven because they are good enough have not actually read the Bible. That may be a bold and divisive statement, but I have yet to come across anything that makes me think that my final destination has anything to do with my goodness. I can store up treasures in Heaven, but that presupposes that I will be there to enjoy them in the first place.

Why do I need mercy if I am good enough?

Why do I need to repent if I am good enough?

Why does God offer grace and forgiveness if I am good enough?

Why did God send a Savior if I am good enough?

If I am good enough, why do I even need God? I've got it covered.

Friends, if you think God is going to let you into His Heaven on the basis of you being good enough, please don't be offended, but keep reading. Someday I want to look around and see everyone I care about worshiping God with me. It is only by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, that we do not go to hell for our sins. Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-not the result of works so that no one may boast."

A gift by definition is something that is given, not earned. We do not earn our way to Heaven by doing more good than bad. One little "bad" keeps us out. We were sunk before we even knew it.

The reality is this: without Christ, I would be lost. If you find yourself tired of wondering if you are good enough to go to Heaven, I hope you find rest in the truth that there is no such thing. That is why we need Jesus.

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