Connecting Point: A Reminder

It’s quite common for people to say, “I’m a good person. I do good things for others. I volunteer a lot.” I’ve heard a version of the following a time or two, “I love God, go to church and say my prayers.” Another candid conversation for refreshment of great value for all American adults concerns the subject of salvation. While it might be somewhat true “good people” exist, we need to be careful about concluding that “being good” somehow equates to salvation. This is a heady subject, and it is part of my writing and preaching for the next couple weeks.

The Bible provides us with the basis for salvation, which is in Jesus Christ; this objective truth needs to be understood well in order to have solid theology, otherwise a pseudo man-made righteousness can be created. Paul demonstrates this thus:

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law. (Romans 10:1-4).

Back tracking in Romans we discover that, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (3:10), because everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s Glory (3:23). If we adopt a mindset that somehow our “goodness” provides salvation this in turn goes in direct conflict to what the Bible teaches. No amount of good deeds can put us in right relationship with God.

Salvation according to the Bible is based fully on the righteousness given freely to us through Jesus. One cannot earn salvation through “good” behavior. We simply receive that eternal gift through the confession of our sins, having faith in Jesus through his sacrificial death. From that point the believer in Jesus Christ is seen as righteous in the eyes of God.

For if, by the trespass of the one man (Adam), death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. (Romans 5:17-18)

Grace, given to us by Jesus, is the most generous gift of all time. In fact, living and walking in this grace is what continually changes us. Our aim is to be Christ-like; goodness isn’t enough. The late author and Bible teacher Jerry Bridges said, “Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good, that you are beyond the need of God’s grace,”--my emphasis. Have a great week.