I'm Done Being Good

Opening Story

Think about some “good people” in the world. We are surrounded by “good people.”

I’m remember trying to be so good that my teacher would give me good grades just because I was such a good boy.

In a Reader’s Digest interview, Muhammad Ali said, “One day we’re all going to die, and God is going to judge us - our good deeds and bad deeds. If the bad outweighs the good, you go to hell. If the good outweighs the bad, you go to heaven.”

Ali’s statement express the nearly universal belief of humans all over the world that they must earn their way to heaven. Every major world religion holds this view in one form or another. With only the exception of Christianity.

Question

Can we be good people without being Godly people? If so, will it get us to heaven?

Text

Satan is not opposed to good morals and definitely not opposed to good people. He hopes that your good outweighs your bad.

He encourages you to save the whales.

He encourages you to pick up litter.

When you and I and the world in general try to good, we will not be opposed. Until we base our good deeds on Christ word.

It’s okay to say that it is wrong to steal, it’s not okay to say that Christ taught us that it is wrong to steal.

When we separate the two it only leads to hell.

When you take God’s Word and prayer out of you schools, you can still keep in good morals…right?

You take the foundation out, no matter how strong the rest of the structure is, it will crumble.

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

Application

Wisdom begins with the fear of Lord.

Challenge

Live it, Preach it!