OCU C)NP D Week 04 Devotion
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MATTHEW 19- GOOD DEEDS
“Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16
“Good people” are extremely valued in our community. Honesty and transparency are favorable traits and are often appreciated amongst our peers. Good deeds such as giving your time and money to the needy are commendable and often applauded.
Although these good works are noble and garner our society’s respect, they fall short of what God deems sufficient to inherit God’s kingdom. In fact, God states that “none are righteous,” that even the best works we can perform “are like filthy rags.”
Why, may you ask? Because, in exchange for eternal life in heaven, God demands perfection. Something that was exclusively found in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
CHALLENGE
Do you believe you are a good person? Good enough for God to let you into His kingdom? Sadly, being good is not sufficient, and your best works towards man are insufficient to secure heaven in the afterlife.
My friend, there is nothing we can do to earn heaven. All the work that needed to be done has ALREADY been done on the cross of Calvary.
Therefore, what we can do is come before the Lord with a humble heart, confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and then, and only then, we can inherit the kingdom of God.
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This topic is very deep, only because I fall victim in thinking that I need to be able to do good things, only to remind myself that no matter what I do or anyone does, we can never be perfect. We have to accept that and strive to actively rely, love and share our walk with Christ towards everyone. I honestly do not consider myself a good person, only because of things I have done in the past, but it doesn’t not hinder my belief and love for Him. Jesus stated that we must pick up our cross daily, meaning that everyday is an ongoing battle, a spiritual warfare that everyone endures once they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is NOT an easy route, but a route worth enduring just to be with our Father eternally.
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I am so grateful that Jesus made a way for us to be saved instead of us trying to avoid punishment through our own good deeds and perfection. All have sinned, so none of us can be a perfect person on earth. Only Jesus achieved that through His life on earth. He did not only that, but He took the punishment of our sins on Himself. Now, those who believe in Jesus, receive His salvation, and follow Him are saved. A big part of following Jesus does involve doing the right thing and obeying Him, so we must not lose sight of that. However, even when we stumble, He is still there for us to forgive us and help us become more like Him. It is amazing that God is so loving to want us to be better, yet He is also forgiving to where He gives us forgiveness, mercy, and grace when we mess up.
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