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John 3:14-18
How good is good enough? Andy Stanley has written a book with this title – and I believe that many of us already ask ourselves this question. Am I good enough to get into heaven? You see, no matter how good we think we are, we still are in need of a loving savior to get into heaven. Being good enough does not change the truth that sin requires a sacrifice.
Here’s a quick quote from his book:
“Here’s what the New Testament says about working our way into heaven:
Romans 3:10 (NIV) As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one;’
Romans 3:20 (NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Romans 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The New Testament comes right out and says what the Old Testament implies: no one will reach God by being good.” (Andy Stanley © 2003. Since Nobody’s Perfect…How Good Is Good Enough? P.43-44)
There’s a guy in the Bible, who at one point goes to visit Jesus under the dark of night. He’s actually part of the ruling council, a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus. In their discussion Jesus brings up that for we as humans to see heaven must be born again. Of course Nicodemus doesn’t quite understand. He asks Jesus about being physically born a second time from his mother’s womb. And Jesus explains that flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit - “S” - gives birth to spirit. And that He’s talking to Nicodemus about a spiritual re-birth.
Jesus continues on a few verses later with this.
John 3:14-18 (NIV) Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
When Jesus talks about flesh giving birth to flesh we can understand that no good deed or work of our flesh restores relationship with our Creator, God the Father. So the answer to our question, we can’t be good enough on our own. We indeed all require a savior.
You know I believe something happened that night in Nicodemus’ heart. If you follow the Book of John, later on in Chapter 19 after Jesus has given His life, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. And Nicodemus, the one who met Jesus in the night, brings 75lbs of Myrrh and aloes to help bury Jesus – as was the custom. That wasn’t cheap by any means, why would someone – one of the Pharisees do this. It would only be out of love and worship from a changed heart.