“I'm not good enough. God can't save me. God won't save me. I don't deserve it. I've messed up too many times.” There are so many people who think like this - who believe this. And this widespread, legalistic mindset is debilitating. When you focus on your own shortcomings or try to merit God's favor you leave the door wide open for depression and anxiety. You work hard and do good deeds only to worry that it is not enough. You see God as this angry being Who is just waiting for you to mess up so He can accusingly point His righteous finger at you while proclaiming His disappointment and anger. When you constantly strive to be good enough you will never reach your goal and you will become despondent and miserable. The fact is no one is good enough. You cannot earn God's grace. If legalism could save you, then Jesus died and rose again in vain. His sacrifice was pointless. Paul says in Galatians 2:21, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” We should not reject God's grace or make it out to be nothing. If following the law (legalism) is what makes us righteous, then Christ's sacrifice was futile. God's grace is a gift. All you have to do is accept it, in faith. You cannot earn it through your good deeds. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” You cannot save yourself through good works. Salvation is a gift from God. ![]() Grace is not about you, it is about God. When you focus on your shortcomings and try to earn grace, you are making it about you, rather than about God. When you say you are not good enough, you are focusing on yourself and your own faults, rather than on God and His amazing grace. Remember what happened to Peter on the turbulent waves when he took his eyes off Jesus. Again, Paul teaches us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace through faith, not by our good works, so we have no bragging rights. Salvation is not about what you can or cannot do; it is about God's amazing grace and extraordinary love. ![]() You are not more powerful than God. If you say you are too lost, too wicked, too sinful, or not good enough, what you are really saying is that God is not powerful enough or gracious enough to save you. You are saying that you have sunken too low for God to reach; that God's power and grace are limited. You are saying that God is a liar. But here is the truth – you are not more powerful than God. Therefore you cannot do something so horrible that He cannot forgive; you cannot sink so low He cannot reach you and lift you up; you cannot be so despicable that He will not forgive you. He is all-powerful (Revelation 9:16); nothing is impossible for Him (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:27, Mark 10:37); nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:27); and He is not a liar (Numbers 23:19 and Titus 1:2). So when He says “whosoever will,” in John 3:16, He means “whosoever will.” He means you! Conclusion: God's grace is a free gift that cannot be earned. You are not good enough, but He is. He can and will save you, all you need to do is ask, in faith. You do not need to work yourself into a miserable depression, trying to be good enough, all the while knowing you are not. Just trust Jesus. Accept His free gift of salvation and live in the peace He gives to those who trust in Him. What questions, concerns, or comments do you have? I would love to hear from you in the comment section or by email. You can reach me at [email protected]. If you like this post or found it helpful, please share it so it can help others as well. If you would like to receive updates when I write new posts, please join my Facebook page.
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Biblical Inspiration
6/24/2021 10:39:47 am
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AuthorKayti grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Hobe Sound Bible College in Hobe Sound, Florida, graduating 2013. She taught four years at a private Christian school on the west side of Indianapolis. She also coached a girls volleyball team for two years. She is now a full-time caregiver for her wonderful grandmother, Ruth. Archives
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