How Good Is Good Enough?

I’ll never forget taking my ACT’s. Boy, am I glad that’s over. I have empathy for all our Lincolnway students who may be stressed out over that massive test. For me, my goal in taking the ACT’s was simple - I needed to get a 24 or better. 24 was all that was required for the college I was looking to get into. 24 was it. The good thing is I did good enough. I scored a 24 and never looked back.

I think we all are so used to trying to prove we are good enough. I have to prove I am good enough to make the team or make the musical. Prove I’m good enough to get the job or the new lead position. Prove I’m good enough to get that date for Prom.

Perhaps then it is no wonder that we take the same approach to God. God I’m here to prove I am good enough. Look God at how well I treat my kids. Look God at my volunteerism. Look God at my giving and compassion towards others. And on the basis of the scorecard of goodness we may believe this is the way to God and ultimately the way to heaven.

The question if that is the approach to God is, “How good is good enough?” How about a new number 100. 100% is what God desires if we are to be good enough to get to him. Jesus put it this way, he said, “Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect?” (Matthew 5:48) Which means the only way you can be good enough is if you have never hurt anyone, never told a lie or put someone down, and never had an evil thought. Then and only then would you be good enough to get to God.

So when I look at God’s standard and my own life, I conclude, “I’m not good enough.” Not as a pastor, not as a dad, not as a son. Which also means there has to be another way to God or I’m lost forever. Because my scorecard of goodness is in the negative numbers.

Thanks be to God - there is another way. That way in a word is: Jesus. Jesus is the way to God. For he is the one scoring 100%. He was sinless. And he is the one who died our death on the cross, and paid the punishment our evil deserved. And he says that whoever believes in him has eternal life. Whoever trusts in him will live forever with him, where he is in heaven. Moreover whoever believes in him has him and his powerful love for every up and down day of life. And all of that is his gift of love for you. It is something you could never be good enough to earn or win on your own.

Somewhere out there I hope there is stirring in your heart radical peace. Somewhere out there I hope someone is going to stop trying to prove their goodness, and trust in Jesus. He’s that good my friends. It’s why we started a church called Amazing Love. God bless.