Our pastor asked us, “How good is good enough?”

Good enough for what? Pleasing people? Earning a good-person reputation? Showing genuine kindness? All worthy, reachable goals. While pleasing people is one thing, getting into heaven is an entirely different matter. Standards, after all, restrict entrance. Fortunately, Jesus illuminates the bar clearly. He says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Unfortunately, while acting good pleases God, good acting doesn’t get us to God. Jesus confirmed that no one acts or thinks good enough to make the cut. “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.”

We know the Good News, of course. Forgiveness lifts us easily over the bar. Anyone can meet the requirements. No cost. No pedigree. Neither hoops nor exams. He lavishes His most precious gift on anybody who asks. And that gives us the key to transformation rather than phony disguise—the one way others might call us “little Christs.” He uses us to pour out His ridiculously inappropriate forgiveness, drenching unsuspecting souls who commit unpardonable offenses with totally undeserved favor.

So, when was the last time someone ambushed you with His un-earnable grace?

Matthew 5:48; Acts 11:19-26; Mark 10:17-21; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:12-21