“Since Nobody’s Perfect…How Good Is Good Enough?”
Sermon Series: “The Gospel, Volume 2”
(Note: This message is based on a book by the same title by Andy Stanley.)
Take a minute and answer this question. If you were standing before God and He asked you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say?
I think most people believe and religions teach that the answer to this question is that I have been a good enough person. This makes sense on the surface because:
1. It seems fair.
2. You will make the cut.
3. It motivates people to be good.
4. It is very consistent with the idea of a good God.
However, if you believe this view, there are some problems with it that I ask you to consider.
1. There is no clear standard of good and bad by which we can check our progress.
A. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, the Bible does not teach this view.
B. Our conscience is not a reliable guide.
2. We do not know how it all grades out.
3. If good people go to heaven, Jesus is a liar (Luke 23:26-43).
So if this view does not truly add up, what is the truth on this matter then?
1. God’s definition of goodness is perfection because He is perfect. This is His only standard (Romans 3:23, Galatians 3:10, James 2:10).
2. We all fall short of God’s standard and are all then in the same predicament (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23).
3. This seems unfair to many people, but in reality, it is only unfair to Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
4. Good people don’t go to heaven, but forgiven people do (Luke 18:9-14). It is about grace-not works.
5. We are forgiven by trusting Jesus, who traded His perfection for our sin (Romans 3:19-28, Galatians 3:10-14).
6. Therefore, we do not have to spend our lives trying to become good enough in God’s eyes, but we can live freely out of the forgiveness and righteousness given to us by Jesus (Romans 8:1-4).
What should our response be to these truths? Based on the story of the repentant thief on the cross, we should:
1. Admit our sinfulness and the fact that we are deserving of punishment from God.
2. Believe in Jesus.
3. Call on Jesus, asking Him to save us by His mercy and grace.
