Alva Review-Courier -

Matthew 5:20 (NIV): For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

So … How good are you? Most would say they are pretty decent compared to others. As a whole, when you look at the whole of society, we are all pretty good. The majority of us haven’t murdered anyone. We haven’t embezzled millions of dollars from the business we work at. And I’m sure the majority of us have never stolen anything.

But by whose standard are we calling ourselves good? I’m sure my definition of good is different than yours. I guarantee just our music tastes could be a hindrance to what we would agree on. I live in Oklahoma, and was in Kansas before that, and I can’t stand country music. Please stay with me until the end of this devotional.

Our opinions, preferences and feelings are not the standard for how we should be living. Look at our society right now and tell me how it’s working out. We need to get back to one standard, and that standard should be God’s.

If we just use the 10 Commandments as the basis of being good, we are all definitely heading straight to hell. Anyone use the name of the Lord in vain? How about make anything more important in your life than God? What about lie or steal? We’re not talking about a car; it could even be one small piece of candy.

But Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 we basically have to be perfect. Let me let you in on a little secret. We can’t be perfect and that’s why Jesus even made this statement. I fail everyday and I try to be as close to the Lord as I can be. But, Jesus, even though I fail, does not forsake me. He actually stays closer when we fail Him. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

I have to tell you, I hate the fact that I am not perfect, but I am so thankful that I serve a loving, grace giving, and merciful God. Christ Jesus is waiting for you to give Him a chance. Why don’t you give Him a try?