To The Christian Who Says “I Am Good Enough”
It’s a simple statement that needs to be questioned when looked at through the scope we call the Bible. Firstly, the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” It may seem obvious enough to us that when God tells us to study, He means for us to study His Word. In telling us to study, not only is He telling us a way we can get closer to Him, but He is also giving us a command.
We see the commandments and laws of God all throughout the Bible. Probably the most iconic of His commands are the Ten Commandments. Let’s test our mettle!
I. Exodus 20:3 - Have you ever put anything ahead of God? This could be anything like choosing to stay home and watch the ball game rather than go to Church.
II. Exodus 20:4 - Have you ever had any idols? Think of a time you’ve idolized something or even someone.
III. Exodus 20:7 - Have you ever taken the Holy name of God in vain? This is like saying “Oh my G–”or using Jesus Christ as a swear word.
IV. Exodus 20:8 - Have you always been faithful in keeping the Sabbath Day? Ever gone out partying all weekend or something like that?
V. Exodus 20:12 - Have you ever disrespected your parents? Yes, that includes temper tantrums as a kid.
VI. Exodus 20:13 - Have you ever committed murder? Even if you haven’t physically taken someone’s life, Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 that if you’ve been angry at someone, you’ve committed murder and are in danger of God’s judgment.
VII. Exodus 20:14 - Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that if you’ve looked at someone with lust that you’ve committed adultery.
VIII. Exodus 20:15 - Have you ever stolen anything? Yes, anything, including as a kid, or at work when you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing and still getting the full paycheck.
IX. Exodus 20:16 - Have you ever lied? The effect or reason of the lie is not important.
X. Exodus 20:17 - Have you ever wanted something that wasn’t yours? This one speaks for itself. A job promotion, your friends stuff, your sibling’s toys; the list goes on and on.
So after you’ve evaluated yourself, you may see that you’ve been successful at keeping a few, or maybe just one. Maybe read Romans 1:29-32; it will elaborate and tell you more about yourself. James 2:10 tells us that if we’ve kept the whole law but offend in one, we’re guilty of all. So now, you’re just completely guilty.
But wait, you’ve done some good stuff, too, right? Name them and claim them, but before you go counting your good works, please know that the Bible also says in Isaiah 64:6 that our righteousness, our goodness, is filthy rags. Our “good deeds” disgust God.
In Galatians 3:10, we learn that the law of God is a curse to us because we cannot abide by them. There it is. The law is not for us to keep, but to reveal our sins to us. We are made guilty by the law. The law is a reflection of God’s Holiness.
If God is Holy, and we are the complete opposite, what happens then? The Bible says in Revelation 21:8 that all unbelievers, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars will have their part in the lake of fire. Galatians 6:7 says not to be deceived, God isn’t mocked, and whatever we sow, we will reap it.
You may say “God is a loving God, and He would never send someone to Hell!” Well, the Bible is the Word of God, and when God’s Word says what God will do, we have to believe it. Romans 3:4 says that God is true and every man is a liar (there’s the truth on if you’ve ever told a lie).
The Scripture makes it very clear that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The Bible tells us the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). It tells us that after we die, we face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). So if we’re guilty and dead sinners facing the judgment of God who tells us that the price for sin must be paid, what hope do we have (Hebrews 2:3)?
Like our government, when the law is broken, the price must be paid. We have a sin debt that cannot be satisfied by our own doing. Thankfully, our God is not only merciful, He is also gracious.
Jesus Christ, God incarnate (John 10:30), came to the world, not only to pay our debt (John 3:16) (Romans 3:25), He came to call us out of our sin to repentance (1 Peter 2:9) (Luke 5:32), and to stay out of sin (Ephesians 5:8) (Psalm 4:3).
Are you dwelling in sin, Christian? Do you commit the sins you did before you were saved and love the sins you commit? Do you idolize your sins? Do you idolize yourself? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if we are in Christ, we are a new creature and our old ways are no more.
This is not to say that you are supposed to be perfect; however, if Christ is truly in your life, your life should reflect it. You can’t be doing the things you did when you were lost. You can’t serve God and sin (Matthew 6:24).
Christian, I beg you; please abstain from sins (there are still so many more sins than those that were listed already, so study them out). Please don’t believe that God will accept what you call “good works”. Please understand that you aren’t worthy of your own accord, but that you are made worthy by God.
I’m not saying any of this because I think I’m better than anyone. I know that I have sinned, and I know where the consequences of my sins would have led me. I gave my life to Christ, and continue to do so. I ask you to do the same because I do truly care about your eternal security. I didn’t say any of this to hurt you. If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn’t tell you this truth, and that would make me guilty (James 4: 17) (2 Peter 2:21).
Please remember these things next time you consider God and tell yourself “I am good enough”.
