You’ve probably heard the same old line of argument. You’re talking to someone about studying the Bible, coming to church, or maybe you’ve even gotten to the point where you are encouraging that person to obey the gospel. However, when it comes to taking that step outside of their comfort zone they respond by saying, “But I’m a good person.” By “good” they mean they don’t drink, smoke, fornicate, curse, cheat, lie, or engage in other blatant immoral behavior. So because they are a “good person” their relationship with God must be sealed without any worry of failure on the horizon. Right?
Wrong! Now, let me clarify. It is good anytime a person abstains from such activities as mentioned above. But this is not a laundry list of legalistic deeds that will allow a person to earn their way to heaven. Redemption is about so much more than just not doing wrong, it is about doing what is right.
Paul made this point clear in Romans 6 when he did say that we must abstain from sin (vs. 1-3), but that this is only the first step toward the new life we develop; because then we are “buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Our new life demands new actions (Ephesians 2:10). Not just in keeping from sin but engaging in godly activities (studying our Bibles, worshipping God regularly and faithfully, living a godly example before others, etc.). This makes us more than “good” it makes us godly! As Christians we are born again into the image of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10). And as new creatures born into the image of Jesus we become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17). So don’t buy into the message that all of life is about being good because when it comes to Christianity, being good isn’t good enough!