I am a pretty good guy. I did not keep a good tally of my bad behaviors versus good choices on my pocket abacus , but I still attest I am 'pretty good and not so bad'.
But no matter how good or bad I am, getting into Heaven is always about God's Grace and not about my relative goodness. His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9
So in my case, being pretty good never felt so.. good.
But no matter how good or bad I am, getting into Heaven is always about God's Grace and not about my relative goodness. His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9
So in my case, being pretty good never felt so.. good.
The bible is loaded with stories of God's Grace and hope for both those of us in the pretty good guys club, and also those falling way short of.. pretty good. Our God's love and His patience is great, and there is unlimited grace for all who would receive it.
- The Psalms is a great book of the Bible filled with poetic words of worship sharing God's love and protection for ALL those who choose to follow him. ie The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.. Psalms 23
- Then in Luke 23:39-43 the story of the thief of the cross who repents while dying on a cross, and Jesus comforts him with the words "today you will be with me in paradise." note: the thief was not such a pretty good guy.
- In Matthew 20 Jesus shares the story of the owner of the vineyard pays the workers who arrived at the end of the work day the same as those who worked all day. God's Grace is never prorated. It is full and complete not dependent on your stage or station in life. God's Grace is far reaching, and complete for ALL who will receive it.
- and then.. in Luke 15 the Father welcomes home his prodigal son with open arms after a time sharing room & board with literal pigs. When the son returned his Father was not interested in the broken path his son had chosen, but instead rejoiced that his son was finally home.
So rest easy there is no entrance exam to get into Heaven. You will not need to know the names of at least 10 of the 12 disciples, or know the names of the sons of Nahor in Genesis 22. hint: Their names rhyme with fuzz.
At the Pearly Gates you will not be greeted by a Gate Keeper suspecting you of smuggling in contraband (ie devils food cake?).
At the Pearly Gates you will not be greeted by a Gate Keeper suspecting you of smuggling in contraband (ie devils food cake?).
The only question asked in 'Pearly Gate Redneck speak' will be "if yer kin yer in."
note: This email is not a battle cry for mediocrity, or to strive to only be 'good enough', but only to clarify our goodness is tentative when compared to our perfect creator.
This is all GREAT NEWS for all of us. From the thief on the cross, to any Jeff on his office chair, and everyone else.
Blessings,
Jeff (Good Enough) Larson
note: This email is not a battle cry for mediocrity, or to strive to only be 'good enough', but only to clarify our goodness is tentative when compared to our perfect creator.
This is all GREAT NEWS for all of us. From the thief on the cross, to any Jeff on his office chair, and everyone else.
Blessings,
Jeff (Good Enough) Larson
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