The problem with this line of thinking is that it is based upon what I or others say is good enough. What really counts is not what I say, or what other people say, is good enough, but what God says is good enough.
The question then becomes: What is God’s standard for goodness? What is God’s expectation of goodness? God sets the standard and the expectation for goodness. God is the law-giver and God is the judge. So we need to know: What is good enough for God?
What is God’s standard of goodness?
Here are a few of the many Bible verses which describe God’s standard of goodness:
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15, 16)
You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.
(Deuteronomy 18:13)
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
The Word of God contains God’s commands. And those commandments are given to be obeyed. As it often is said, the 10 commandments are not 10 suggestions. If we honestly examine the commandments given in scripture (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21), we will soon discover that we fail in following them according to God’s standard (“holy”, “blameless”, “perfect”), whether in our thoughts, our words, or our actions. Often we fail the commandments in all three ways. Following such honest scrutiny of ourselves, we are confronted with the disturbing truth: We are sinners. We are lawbreakers. We are rebellious.
Why does God have such a high standard?
We, in our sinful condition, naturally defend ourselves, accommodating to our own sins and the sins of others. We explain away sins. We excuse sins. We condone sinful words and actions. But the fact is that we are immersed in sin, just like fish are immersed in water.
God, however, is holy (1 Peter 1:16). God in His holiness hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19). God despises our sinful words, thoughts, and actions. There is never a place in the Bible where God excuses, condones or winks at sin. God’s very nature causes Him to be opposed to sin.
How, Then, does God judge each [sinful] person?
Here are a few of the many Bible passages that describe God’s judgment on people who are sinners, which is all of us.
As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks
for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does
good, not even one. (Romans 3:10-12)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. (James 2:10)
For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23a)
As we see in the above verses, all of us fall into sin and all of us fall into
God’s judgment. None of us is good enough.
Where do people who are not good enough find help?
This is the central message of the Bible and Christianity: People are great sinners; God is a great Savior. Over and over in Scripture we see the sad narrative of people falling into horrendous sin. But over and over in Scripture we see God seeking to save sinful people. This golden thread that runs through all the pages of Scripture comes to culmination in the death of Jesus Christ – when sinful people put to death the pure, holy Son of God. This surely shows the depravity of the human race.
But, while Jesus was on the cross, God placed on him the sins of each person, including your sins and mine. Jesus willingly became the Sin-Bearer who died to take the punishment we deserve. Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, we have forgiveness of all of our sins. It is through Jesus, and only through Jesus, that people who are not good enough, become good enough. Through Jesus, and only through Jesus, sinful people are completely forgiven and declared “holy”, “blameless” and “perfect” according to God’s standard and judgment. It is Jesus, and only Jesus, who makes us good enough!
Where does faith fit in?
Faith believes that Jesus died on the cross for us. Faith connects us to the accomplishments of Christ on the cross. It is through faith that we are forgiven and made holy - good enough - in God’s sight. Faith receives the forgiveness Jesus purchased for us on the cross.
What, then, shall I do?
This was the exact question that was asked by the people who heard the first Christian sermon ever preached, by a disciple named Peter (Acts 2). After hearing the truth about themselves in the sermon, in their hearts they felt convicted of their sin. They asked Peter, “What then shall we do?” Here is Peter’s response, which still applies to sinners like you and me today: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Repent means to turn away from sin. Being baptized is the way God washes away our sins. With faith we are assured we are forgiven, and God gives His presence to us by His Holy Spirit.
So if you have not done what Peter says, what is holding you back? What are you waiting for? You cannot be good enough any other way, so “Turn away from sin. Be baptized. Trust in Jesus. Be forgiven. Receive God’s Holy Spirit.” And then, be assured that through Jesus, you are good enough!
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