Your Good Enough Will Never Be Good Enough

By Jon Haley, Pastor, Hallmark Church, Fort Worth, TX, President, BBFI

Read Matthew 5:3.

Your good enough will never be good enough. Believe it or not, this is good news. Jesus, while teaching His disciples on the side of a mountain, declared, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

This verse immediately sparks two questions in my mind. First, what does it mean to be poor in Spirit? And second, what does Jesus mean by saying, theirs is the kingdom of heaven? 

Many world religions hinge on one factor, called “works-based salvation.” Have you heard someone say that if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, a loving God will allow you into heaven? This teaching, although prevalent, is in direct opposition to what Jesus taught. 

To be spiritually poor is to realize that our good enough will never be good enough.  Paul stated that his righteousness was as good as a pile of dirty rags. He also wrote that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8) Therefore, being poor in spirit means admitting that you are completely destitute spiritually because of your sin and can do nothing to deliver yourself from your dire situation. Jesus is saying that no matter your status in life, you must recognize your spiritual poverty before you can come to God in faith to receive the salvation He offers.^[1]

Jesus is saying that no matter your status in life, you must recognize your spiritual poverty before you can come to God in faith to receive the salvation He offers. Click To Tweet

Essentially, the kingdom of heaven refers to the gift of salvation in which God forgives our sins and declares us righteous. The kingdom of heaven is both a future promise and a present reality. Jesus promises abundant life (John 10:10) here on earth as well as a future with Him (John 14:1-2). 

Your good enough will never be good enough, and that is GREAT NEWS because Jesus’ good enough was good enough. 

Reflective Questions:

1. Are you trusting in your good works or the finished work of Jesus on the cross?
2. Do you thank God daily for the gift of salvation?
3. If you have received eternal life, are you sharing the good news with others?

Memory Verse:

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)

Prayer:

Dear God, I am thankful that my good enough doesn’t have to be good enough to earn my way to heaven or a relationship with you. Help me to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross. I am thankful for the promise of an abundant life now and an eternal home with You forever. 

Related Scriptures

Ephesians 2:8-9; John 10:10; John 14:1-2; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 6:20; Revelation 3:17

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