Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Good Enough?
“For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws” (James 2:10 NLT).
I’ve met people who are not Christians that are good people. And in certain cases, they’re better people than some Christians. They’re friendly, trustworthy, and considerate. So they’re good people in that regard.
Yet the Bible says that “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). It also tells us, “No one does good, not a single one!” and “the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws” (Psalm 14:3; James 2:10 NLT).
Most people believe in Heaven. According to one poll, 72 percent do. But they think living a good life will get them there.
The Bible isn’t saying there are not good people. This isn’t about whether you’re a good person. This is about whether you’re good enough to get to Heaven, and no one is that good.
Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, I’m pretty good, actually.”
You’re not as good as you think you are. In fact, you’re much worse than you think you are. That’s because one sin is enough to keep you out of Heaven.
Even on our best days, our righteousness, our goodness, and the benevolent, kind, and considerate things that we do are pretty much thrown away. That’s because the Bible tells us in Isaiah, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (64:6 NLT).
The Holy Spirit has come to bring us to Christ. He shows us that we’re not righteous enough. But it isn’t so that we’ll be driven away in despair; it’s so that we will run to the Cross. He lights the way for us. The Holy Spirit shows us our sin and then brings us to the Savior.
So go to Jesus, and your sins will be forgiven.
Copyright © 2021 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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