Most of us think that we are good. I’ve talked to hundreds of people over the last few years at outreach events and about 95% respond in the affirmative to the question, “Are you a good person?” Almost all people believe God will accept them into heaven based on their personal goodness.
Some reason, “Well, I’ve never murdered anyone or committed any kind of heinous crime”. They think God will weigh their good against their bad. And most come to the conclusion that they are basically good.
A Few Questions
- How do you determine what is good or bad?
- How do you measure the good and bad?
- How much good do you need; how much bad is permissible?
- Where do you find this theology of good vs. bad?
- Does this mean that an atheist can make it to heaven if he/she is good enough?
- If humans are basically good, why do we have to teach young children to be good?
- If you can be good enough for God, why then did Jesus have to die on the cross?
Is Anyone Good?
God is good and the ultimate author of good. This is what He says about it; “There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). Jesus told a certain ruler, “No one is good but One, That is God” (Luke 18:19).
Is Our Heart Good or Bad?
When comparing yourself to others, you might conclude that you’re better than them. But comparing yourself to God who is holy (spiritually clean) should cause you to realize how unholy (spiritually unclean) you really are. We come into the world having inherited the sinful nature of our very first parent, Adam. (Romans 5:12) Therefore, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked“. (Jeremiah 17:9)
Because our heart is wicked and deceitful, we sin in thought, word, and deed. Did you ever disobey your parents? Have you ever stolen anything no matter how small? How many lies have you told? Jesus tells us that out of the heart proceeds adulteries, thefts, covetousness, lewdness, an evil eye (envy), pride, foolishness, etc. (Mark 7:21-22) If you have even thought about doing an evil, it is considered sin in the eyes of the Lord. One sin is an infinite offense against a holy God and we have committed many!
If you are a believer, the closer you grow in your relationship with God the more wickedness you see in your heart. The nearer you get to the light the more dirt you see, even if it just bad thoughts. We are not good; that’s why we must teach little children to be good. The bad things they figure out on their own.
Who Did Jesus Die for?
Jesus didn’t die for good people. He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Why not agree with what God says about you; that you’re not good and receive forgiveness and the free gift of everlasting life by faith in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Who is Worthy?
Jesus alone is worthy!
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And]we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
Find out how you can know that you can be eternally secure even though you are not good.
Thank you for visiting this site. I invite you to follow as we continue to explore God’s amazing grace.
Assurance of Heaven 