If Good Were Enough
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”Galatians 2:21 (KJV)
Many people believe that if they try hard and mean well, God will accept them. It sounds reasonable. But it raises a hard question. If being good were enough, why did Jesus have to die?
Paul saw that question clearly: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” If we could make ourselves right, the cross would be a tragic waste.
The cross tells us the truth about our condition. Good intentions can’t pay for sin. Something had to be done that we couldn’t do. And Jesus did it.
That’s humbling, and it’s also a relief. You don’t have to wonder if you’ve been good enough. You haven’t, and neither has anyone else. But Christ didn’t die in vain. His blood is enough.
Read it yourself
Read Galatians 2:16–21. How does Paul say a man is justified?
Have you been counting on being good enough?
Lord Jesus, you did not die in vain. I trust your blood, not my goodness. Amen.