Am I Good Enough

Am I Good Enough

Gal. 3:1-14

“Now that no one is justified by the Law before god is evident; for the righteous man shall live by faith.”

 

                  From the beginning of time, when sin entered the world, people have sought to obtain eternal life by being good enough.  The common belief is that if we are good moral people it will be enough to gain entrance into heaven.  This was the. Viewpoint of the Jews.  They sought to obey and fulfill the religious laws by following the customs and regulations established by the religious leaders.  As long as they were faithful in their external religious duties, it would be sufficient for them to be accepted by God.  However, when Christ came, he agitated the religious leaders by attacking their external religion.  Christ made it clear that not the external actions determine our acceptance into heaven, but our inward heart condition.  This does not mean that Christ set aside the law, but that he confronted those seeking salvation based upon their merit and outward obedience (Matthew 5:17-20).  The real issue is not the outward acts but the inward character of the person that governs our attitude towards God and others (Mt. 5:21-48).  However, even then, we are confronted with the problem, for we are not inherently good; we are the opposite.  Inwardly, we are governed by sinful desires and selfishness.  Paul assesses all humanity by stating, “ There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:9-19).  This inward rebellion against God is not revealed in how sinful we are but in the presence of every act of sin.  Despite our best intentions, we still sin. In every action of sin we place ourselves above God and make ourselves as our own master rather than submitting to him.  Ultimately, we are never good enough to gain access to heaven, for we are still marred by sin and self-worship, and the desire to usurp God as our King. We cannot be good enough because we are under the curse of the law.   

                  If we cannot be saved by our religious deeds, nor be saved by being good enough, what hope do we have?  Paul provides the answer.  Having confronted us with the curse of the law, he gives us hope by stating that the means of salvation are obtained by faith.  This does not mean that the law was invalid or misguided. Instead, it points to the reality that we could never fulfill the requirements of the law.  However, Christ came and fulfilled the law and delivered us from the law’s condemnation by taking the curse of our guilt upon Himself, thus satisfying the justice of God.  This is the hope that Christ gives us. 

                  When we stand before God, we have nothing to merit eternal life in ourselves. Our only hope is found in the acceptance of Christ and the salvation He offers us. To live by faith is to divest ourselves of our efforts or merit and accept His offer of salvation instead. It is to accept by faith that His moral law is righteous and pure and that we are guilty of breaking it and to seek His forgiveness through the work of Christ.  Then, in response to His grace, we now live by faith by allowing Him to govern our lives.  Instead of obedience to God as the basis for salvation, our obedience becomes an expression of love because of His salvation. When we stand before God, and He asks us why we should be allowed into His kingdom, if we answer anything other than the work of Christ, we will face His judgment.  How will you answer that question today?  Am I good enough?  The answer is No! But through Christ we are.