Wednesday, May 28, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

"Good" Isn't Good Enough

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

When getting pulled over by a policeman for a speeding ticket, many people respond with comments like, "I am a good person. Don't waste your time on me when there are drug dealers and murderers out there!" As much as we would like to be "let off the hook" because we are "good" people and have never committed the "big" crimes, it doesn't make us any less guilty for our actions. AND that statement probably won't get any of us out of a speeding ticket either.

Many people fall into the same trap while considering eternal life. Hebrews 9:27 says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." This judgment will determine whether a person spends eternity in Heaven or Hell. Many think, "Well, I must be going to Heaven because I am a GOOD person. I pay my taxes, I am a good neighbor, I give to the poor, I have good morals, and I even go to church. Hell is for the 'bad' guys."

While doing GOOD things brings God great honor, simply being "good" does not secure eternal life in Heaven for anyone. As stated in today's verse, no one can spend eternity with God except through Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:5-6 confirms this thought, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Because of modern science and technology, we have become very self-reliant. We can Google just about any question and quickly find the answer we need. Sadly, between our advanced culture and "good" actions, some may feel that we really don't NEED a Savior.

Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's desire IS for us all to find His saving grace no matter how "good" or "bad" we are.

I challenge you today if you haven't already, to invite the Lord into your heart and life. By doing so and by daily serving Him, you will have the assurance that you will indeed spend eternity with Him.

Dear Lord, Please forgive me for my sins. I invite you to rule over my life. I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Reflection: Have I ever invited Jesus Christ to be The Lord over my life?