If you want evidence of God I will show you sinners transformed into saints.  The work done by a Loving God, who promised this result to them who believe upon Him.  I pray and pity those who must be good enough in their performance in order to gain/earn admittance to the paradise of God.  For how may I know that I am intended for glory, if the definition of my acceptance is based upon my “acceptable” deeds?  How may I ever have assurance if the criteria for entry is based on me, for we have all determined that there is nothing certain in this world except death, taxes and change.  I can imagine their despair as they seek each day to be “good” enough for God.  God wants perfection, I cannot reach perfection, therefore I will eventually fall prey to utter depression in the personal attempt of works.  I that I may hope to be is past the bar of “good” enough, every one above the line being included and below, excluded.  How do I know my standing against this measure?  The answer is I don’t, so I have to continue to strive to be good enough and “hope” that on the day of my death I had somehow “made the cut”.

I don’t care how good you are, all of us continue to sin against the mirror of God’s Law.  Remember God’s bar is perfection, so any performance below that line is disqualified.  Since, one hundred percent of us fall short of this mark, it is miraculous that God offers the Grace of Salvation, freely to them who will repent and believe.  This provides the opportunity for the assurance of salvation while removing the burden of earned entry to paradise.  Christ paid the price of my imperfection, substitutionally providing me His righteousness in exchange for my utter hopeless position in sin.  Although God still expects me to live a pure, righteous and Holy life, He has now allowed for the fact that I am incapable of doing so.  It is God who will perfect me, God who transforms, God who makes it possible for me to be in His presence throughout eternity.  What a relief, I don’t have to try and be good enough anymore and I can accept the assurance of my entry in heaven when I die.  Do you know where you are going when you leave this life?  Don’t you want to know or would you rather continue to hope, guess or live in despair?

How shall we ever access overwhelming or abundant joy if we continue to worry about being good enough for heaven?  My heart is filled with thankfulness for the great gifts God continually gives me, my eyes well with size seven tears when I realize the wonderful friendships with which I’ve been blessed.  I cannot begin to tell you about the number of people I’ve encouraged with a smile, a reminder of love or just the authentic will to listen and share a bit of their burden.  I could have done none of that without the assurance of my salvation and the knowledge that I cannot sanctify myself.  God did the work of conquering sin and death and He continues the work of transforming my life to resemblance.  Lay down your burden at the cross, be forgiven for every sin and be transformed by a renewing of your mind.  That is the free gift each of us is offered.  It is ironic that the only way to be found good enough for heaven is to give up on trying to be good enough at all.  Find rest and truth in Jesus.