10/18 - How Good is Good Enough?

Bear with me today, this may get lengthy. At the same time I don't think I can do this subject justice in one blog post.

What does it take to get in to heaven? I asked a few people this question this weekend and the answers varied greatly. Some of the answers I got were: "Well, I pray everyday, " "If you live a good life," "I go to church sometimes," "My parents used to take us to church," and "I'm not sure." Besides the last answer, the majority of responses hinged on the popular belief that good people go to heaven. It's a theory many subscribe to regardless of religion. If this is what you believe, I'd ask you to consider a few points today. Not asking you to agree but if your eternity hinges on this belief, it's at least worth a second look to be sure.

I just read a book called "How Good is Good Enough" by Andy Stanley and he outlines a few problems with the "good people go to heaven" theory. Consider:

1. We don't know exactly what good is. Most religious leaders can't agree on this and they're supposed to be leading us to this truth. Ask several people as I tried and you'll get as many answers.

2. Our internal "goodness" gauges aren't good enough. White Americans in times past primarily believed that whites & blacks weren't on equal footing. Nazi Germany thought similarly about the Jews. I believe they were sincere in their convictions but it's generally believed now that they were sincerely wrong. As time passes, our definition of right and wrong tends to change.

3. We have no clear scoring system from God for good deeds. If the "good people go" theory is true, how much good will get you in? If 90% of your deeds are good? How about 51% just so the good outweighs the bad? Could you really end up one good deed shy of heaven?

4. This theory isn't as fair as we make it to be. Under this theory, you could simply run out of time. What if you plan on doing a ton of good deeds but die very young? What is the standard for good? What if Mother Theresa bumped the curve up so high that now it takes 60% good deed to get in?

Some of these questions may seem silly but when you go by this theory, they are some things that seriously should be considered. The Bible is one religious book that doesn't support this theory:

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23

"There is no one righteous, not even one." - Romans 6:23

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in [God's] sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin" - Romans 3:20

Basically the Bible isn't giving much credibility to people's goodness. It does speak to a theory in direct opposition to today's subject: bad people go to heaven. The above verses indicate that no one is good, but somebody has to go to heaven right? The key is that the Bible doesn't use goodness as a measure, but forgiveness.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life" - John 3:16

"For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man" - Romans 8:3

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" -John 14:6

Say what you will about God's fairness (topic for another blog perhaps) but the layout is plain: there's one method into heaven - forgiveness; one who can give it - God; one way it's received - Jesus Christ. No back doors, no VIP passes.