I enjoy watching track and field, ever since our daughter participated. The skills necessary to succeed are so varied, depending on the event. I especially like to watch the high jump and pole vault. I am always wondering how high they can go, while amazed at their skills. Eventually, the participants reach their limit, as the bar reaches a height beyond their abilities.
A lot of people believe that they are living lives good enough for heaven. They feel like the good things they have done far outweigh any bad things that they may have done. But how would you know? Does one act of kindness count for more good on the righteousness scale than a lie negates? How much good do I have to do to be accepted by God and gain access to heaven? Is there some way that I can evaluate my righteousness status so I can be sure that I get to heaven?
Unfortunately, these people are all on the wrong path. In Matthew 9:13 Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” The religious elite of Jesus’ time thought they were righteous because they held to a strict set of rules. They thought that their good deeds earned their way into God’s favor and into heaven. Jesus contradicted their statements and beliefs. Jesus said that God wants us to have a broken and contrite spirit. He wants us to have faith that He saves us, not our works. By His grace in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for our sins, God offers salvation to each of us. This is good news. We don’t have to wonder if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds. Heaven and salvation are freely given by God to those who trust in Jesus.
Reluctant Retiree 