Daily Devotion for September 14, 2006

Not Good Enough

 

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

 

Benjamin Franklin used to begin each morning asking himself this question: “What good will I do today?” I like that. It’s a great way to begin a day. There are a lot of people that I know who do good. I am even going to be so bold as to say that I’m one of them! Yes, I do have some problems here and there (ok a lot of them!)  – but all in all, I’m a pretty good guy.  At least that’s what some people have told me.

 

There’s nothing wrong with being “good.” In fact, we should strive to be. But, goodness is not going to get us to heaven. A lot of people think that Christianity is about being and doing “good.” I think that they’ve confused the kingdom of heaven with an episode of Oprah. The truth is; I don’t get to heaven because of my goodness.

 

 I get to heaven because of Jesus’ goodness. I can’t “earn” my way to heaven because Jesus already paid the price with His Blood on the Cross.

 

 Having a Lord that has given me His all is the very reason why I’ve got to give Him my all. It’s the very least I could do. The goal is not to be “good” but instead the goal is to honor Christ with your life and to point people to see Jesus and not you. Are your good works the result of your relationship with God or are they your futile attempt to gain a salvation that Jesus already gained for you?  Do you realize that you can do nothing “good” by yourself, that it is always, and only, God working through and most times in spite of you?

 

Prayer
Lord, You have done so much for me. You took my affliction when You were blameless. Because You gave me your all, I owe You my all. May my deeds be to honor You, not to gain honor from You. Amen

 

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