[Trae Johnson]

In a culture that values goodness, kindness, generosity, and righteousness, it’s all too simple to assume that being a “good person” is enough to secure our position in God’s sight. But Matthew 19:16 reminds me that even the most noble deeds are not good enough when compared to God’s standard of righteousness. The wealthy young ruler truly desired to know what good thing he might do to inherit eternal life, but Jesus kindly revealed the flaw in his thinking: eternal life isn’t earned, it’s received.

This text fills me with a desire to stop measuring my worth by my acts and graciously admit I am in need of grace. My best endeavors, however excellent they might be, are not the answer to heaven. It is only through Jesus’s perfection, death, and resurrection that I can be restored to God.

Now, I rest in the freedom of the gospel. I do not serve others and live in righteousness to earn God’s favor, but because I already have His favor through Christ. My works are not based on a need to earn salvation, but out of thankfulness for the salvation which I have received freely.