Is Good, Good Enough?

Is Good, Good Enough?

Verse of the Day: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:2‬

Unfortunately, no it’s not. 

Doing what is right is not always good. And doing what is good is not always right.

Just because something is right doesn’t mean it lines up with the Bible or that it’s scriptural. Often times we come across someone who is a good or great person, has a big heart and is always helpful and kind - does this mean that person is going to Heaven?  No, It just means they are a good person. 

We allow man to establish what is right and lawful. And yes, we have to follow laws and ordinances. But just because we follow the laws of the land, this doesn’t guarantee our salvation or that we will go to Heaven when we die. It just means we died as a law abiding citizen or with a safe driver status on our drivers license. 

Why is it that so many people will follow or align with so many beliefs of mankind?  We follow trends, fashions, politics and sports, but we find it so hard to follow God.  We love the temporary carnal things that provide immediate satisfaction. It’s human nature. And human nature is temporary and confined to this world. So it’s only natural that this is where our minds rest.

So many people work so hard to follow so many worldly things. And in their own eyes, they wholeheartedly believe what they are doing what is right and what is good. 

Most of the time this is because nothing will correct the behavior or because their belief is so ingrained it will never change. And sometimes, good things aren’t always bad. 

Good people can follow the laws of mankind, they can help their neighbors in time of need and they can live their lives full of happiness.  It doesn’t always mean they are following the way of Jesus Christ or living to glorify God. And some of those times, they are living a great life, it’s just not a life that honors God. 

In fact, they can be doing all of those things, and still go to Hell. In fact most people are good people, with good intentions and living good lives and those people will still go to Hell especially if they aren’t saved. 

I have a friend of mine who is a great person, overall. They have and would do anything for anyone at anytime. They have a great family, they always have good intentions. They always do good things for people. But they aren’t saved. They drink too much. They use profanity regularly. They have a great heart and at the end of the day, they aren’t going to Heaven. And as much as I’ve tried, they feel that if they are a good person, they will be okay. They feel good is good enough, and it isn’t. 

Here’s the thing. Once you become a believer of Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sin, that He was resurrected from the dead and you ask Him to come into your life and you repent or turn away from your sin - then you will go to Heaven.

Not if you’re a good person. 

Only if you place your trust in and on God to do His Will and not your own. Only if you work hard to turn away from sin. Only if you ask God to lead your life and you follow Him. 

You will still sin.  Because you’re human. And because all humans have a sin nature. But God also looks at the heart just like the verse says. 

Now if you sin and know that you are doing wrong, but do it anyway, God knows that in your heart as well. This is where confessing your sin to God and asking Him to help you turn away from your sin - truly working to turn away from it - this is different. This is the difference between a saved and lost person. God will look to your heart. God wants all of us to be saved from ourselves. To turn to Him. He gives us that choice. For some, he makes it very obvious. 

You have options. Everyone loves options. Here they are.

You can follow your own way, which will only lead you where you want to go. Most people opt for this because they are vain. You can follow everyone else’s way, and many do this as well because it’s easy. Or, you can follow the ways of Jesus Christ. This isn’t the easiest or most popular way. It isn’t the most lucrative. But it is the only way you will have eternal life. 

Is what you are doing good enough?

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28