"I think generally I’m a pretty good person if I had to grade myself." -Kid Rock, Musician
We like to read and quote those who are famous. It’s fun! Shouldn’t we ask ourselves, “Is what they are saying true”?
Kid Rock said he thought he was a good person.
How would you grade yourself on a scale of 1-10?
"Most men will proclaim his goodness, but who can find a faithful man?" (Proverbs 20:6)
The real question is: “Am I really a good person?”
"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."
~James A Garfield 20th US President
President Garfield was right. For the truth to set us free, we need to realize that we have a problem. This problem is sin. We all struggle with it.
One of the reasons the truth makes us miserable is that each of us try our hardest to justify ourselves in our own eyes. Each of us think we are a good person… but are we?
"I took it to heart that in order to be a good person, you never said anything mean about anybody." ~Carly Simon, Musician
Ms. Simon’s standard appears to be whether she’s said anything mean about anybody. Maybe yours is different. God’s Word says:
"Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from sin?' " (Proverbs 20:9) (The answer? No one.)
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) (We are all equally guilty.)
"Even the good things we do are not enough." (Isaiah 64:6)
Almost everyone thinks they are a good person, but the question you should be asking is, am I good enough to go to heaven? –Candace Cameron Bure, Actress
"No one is good but One, that is, God." -Jesus (Mark 10:18)
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth (John 1:14) to live a perfect life (1 Peter 2:21-22), call people to repentance of their sins (Mark 1:15), and to die the death that we deserve (Romans 6:23) and that the law demands (John 19:7; Deuteronomy 21:22-23).
The TRUTH and our HOPE is found in Jesus Christ alone!
When Jesus said, “everyone who is of the truth hears my voice,” (John 18:37); Pilate answered and said, “what is truth?” (John 18:38)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me." –Jesus (John 14:6)
Pilate did not respond in faith to follow Jesus, but instead said, “I find no fault in Him at all.” (John 18:38)
What is your response? Sadly, many people “find no fault in Him at all.” They don’t have a problem with Jesus or are indifferent to His message. In doing so, they discount the fact that Jesus’ message calls them to repent of their sins and place their faith in Him alone.
Jesus’ words are still true today. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
What is truth? “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)
God desires you to cry out to Him in repentance and receive His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Church attendance, baptism, or good works will not save you from the penalty of your sin. Please cry out to Him today for salvation from your sins. You may want to pray a prayer like this:
“Dear God, I repent (I am sorry and i'm turning away) of my sins. Please forgive me. I know that you sent Your Son to live a perfect life and to die for my sins. I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Please grant me the gift of everlasting life through Your Son Jesus. Thank you for saving me from my sin. Amen.”
If you’ve been born again, God’s Spirit now resides in you. You’ll want to begin reading His Word daily, find a Bible preaching and teaching church near you, pray, share the Good News of the gospel with others, worship, and grow in Christ!
