are we good enough

I hear it all the time, “well, if you just live a good life, you will be OK, (with God)”

Or, “if you do your best, and not hurt anyone else, you’ll be fine”. You may be one of those, who truly believes that. I think, that if you really think about it just a little, you just might come to a different conclusion. So let’s have a closer look at this concept.

There are several issues that are involved here. It will pay to look at each one, and put it all together.

What is, GOOD?

If we live in a world of relativity, good, is also relative. What you consider good, I may not. And, vice-versa. Another way to see it, if it’s legal, it’s good. If it’s not legal, it’s not good. That has problems too, because not everything that is legal is good. Neither is everything illegal bad. Some things are beyond legislation. It may be really good to have a laugh, and really bad to be depressed. Neither is legal, or illegal.

That brings us to the next requirement.

Who determines the standard then?

Since this article is aimed at being acceptable to God, making it to Heaven, or entering a “utopian” eternity, I will stay on that theme. I would think that it would be God’s prerogative, to set the standard. That makes sense to me. It’s His domain we will be entering. Let me use one example here. Suppose you wish to travel to another country. Lets say, one that is not in the best relationship with your own. What criteria would you need to fulfil, in order to be allowed into that country?

Here’s a short list of possibles

Passport, (to identify you.)

Medical clearance, (you are not sick, nor infected with some communicable disease)

Criminal check, (clearing you of a criminal record)

Insurances, (so you don’t become a financial burden to your host country)

Declaration of intent, (your visit will not contravene any local laws etc.)

No country will accept you, if you don’t meet their predetermined standards. Now that’s what we do here on Earth. How much more stringent would that be with God?

I just might add one more example. (If that’s all right?)

Suppose you came knocking on my door. I open the door, and I don’t know you, know nothing about your background, etc. Further more, you are wearing completely different clothes to me, speak a different language, and you have your suit case in your hand. From this I determine that you are not just visiting, but planning to stay. Why should I let you into my home? Chances are I won’t. There is no law that says I must, or should. I can refuse entry to you.

Now if you think these examples are not relevant, think again.

As concerning example 1, the “passport” is Jesus Christ. He said that He was the (only) way to the Father. If the mark of the covenant (something I will write another article about shortly, and this will be a link) is not found on you, you will have a stamp on your “visa” saying “access denied”.

As concerning example 2, Jesus told of the day when He will judge the righteous and unrighteous, He will say to them, “depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you. These   were   ones  that  did  “good things” in His name. Matt.7:21-23. Heaven is God’s home. That then leads into the next question.

Who is God?

Here is another area of great confusion. God, Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Shiva, etc. Or just some “force”? I have to say, that is an area that’s worthy of it’s own investigation. Not something I want to pursue in any detail here. Let me be clear though, that I am specifically referring to the God of the Bible. The Father of Jesus Christ, and creator of all things, the giver of Life and Lord of all. I know Him to be the ONE and ONLY true God, and all others to be either impostors, or contrivances of religion(s). This is my personal conviction, and I am not alone. Please don’t give me any “grief” over this point. If you do not see Him in this way, nor want to, that’s entirely your choice. One thing that cannot be stated though is that “they are all one and the same”. Just a little study will clarify this as being totally false.

Also, see my hub nature of God

I digress. My apologies.

This God says of Himself that He is HOLY. He is above reproach, just and pure. (See my hub, “Sin is Bad” for a bit more info.) So, if He says you (and I ) are good enough, then it IS SO. If He says NO, then it’s NO. Arguing, complaining etc will not make any difference. It’s settled. So, what does He say? He actually has told us. It’s not a guessing game. Neither is it “relative”. One size fits all. He says of our “good works/deeds”, (or righteousness) is equivalent to dirty, filthy (menstrual) rags, in His sight. That’s the VERY BEST we can come up with. What about all the rest. After all, none of us can do good ALL the time. Or even most of the time.

Now, we are told in the Old Testament that women going through their menstrual cycle were deemed “unclean”. Their garments were unclean. So, if all our righteousness is “like that”, what hope do we have of being GOOD enough for God.

Sounds to me like NO hope at all.

But there IS hope, In Jesus Christ.

Blessings.