I'm a Good Person, Why Do I Need a Savior?

Does this mean you’re good as compared to an axe murderer, or that you don’t take paper clips or pens from your place of employment, or that you’ve never held onto angry feelings towards another, or broken the speed limit?  The definition of “good” is a relevant term apart from the Bible where God’s absolute standards are defined.  Therein is the dilemma. In order for us to see our standard as lacking we must be willing to consider there is a higher standard, a perfect standard, God’s standard.

With this consideration in mind, the Bible says that no one is righteous, no one is truly wise, and no one is a good person. God initially gave man ten simple laws (Ten Commandments) to follow, but he couldn’t follow them, and we’re no different.  You see, when Jesus taught, he elaborated on those commandments by saying, the law is broken even when it’s still in thought form.  For example Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28CloseMatthew 5:27-28 "You have heard the commandment that says, `You must not commit adultery.'* But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). This principle applies to each of the commandments.  No one can ever be made right with God by doing good, keeping the law, or by following any other religious rules.  It’s just not good enough. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are (Romans 3:9-31CloseRomans 3:9-31 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,* are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say,"No one is righteous—  not even one. No one is truly wise;  no one is seeking God. All have turned away;  all have become useless.No one does good,  not a single one."* "Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.  Their tongues are filled with lies.""Snake venom drips from their lips."*   "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."* "They rush to commit murder.   Destruction and misery always follow them. They don't know where to find peace."*   "They have no fear of God at all."* Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses* and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.* Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Jesus Christ was the only one “good enough” to sacrifice his life for our sins.  When we accept by faith that he did that for us, he becomes our Savior. We are then “good enough” to stand in the presence of God—forever.