Almost good enough

 

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. – James 2.8-11

 

Most folks think that we are pretty good people. Most don’t commit any of the great sins. We don’t steal or kill or intentionally hurt people. We love our families, are faithful to our spouses, and we try to be good neighbours. We try to give to those less fortunate and want to help the suffering.

 

Surely, some think, if we do all that we will be good enough that God will let us into heaven. If I put my good works on one side of the scale and bad works on the other surely the good will win out?

 

It doesn’t work that way. Even if there were one violation on the bad side of the scale it would be the same as if I broke every point of the law. God requires total perfection, and I certainly can’t do that.  

 

So, if I offend in even the slightest thing, one offence, one failure is enough to disqualify me from heaven as a law breaker.

 

So close, but never good enough.

That sounds pretty cruel, doesn’t it?

 

And yet God gives hope. We can’t keep the Law – impossible, so God solved that problem by sending His son to live and sinless life do that He could pay the price for our sins. He makes up the shortfall no matter if the shortfall is great or small.

Thank God for His precious gift.