Not Enough

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” Isaiah 64:6

According to estimates, there are over 4,200 systems of faith in the world. They are as varied in their teachings as the snowflakes falling from the sky. Some worship trees, animals, imaginary deities, or themselves. Some religions gather together; some practice their beliefs in solitude. Some religions proselytize; some keep their faith private. But one thing all of the worlds’ religions have in common is that “salvation” (in whatever form they seek it) lies in the appeasing of their “god.” In other words, they work for their salvation by conforming to a standard of good.

There is one system of faith that stands apart from the rest–biblical Christianity. The Scripture makes it clear that we are all sinful (Romans 3:10), we’re all far from God (Romans 3:11), and we cannot even approach His holiness (Romans 3:23). In our verse today, Isaiah tells us that when we try to conform to God’s standard of holiness, even our best efforts fall far short.

The mistake we make is trying to compare our “righteous deeds” to the unrighteous deeds of others. My kind actions look pretty good next to some other guy’s horrible actions. But the standard is not some other guy–it’s God! Next to the infinite holiness and perfection of God, even the best things I do are fit for the garbage. How thankful I am for the grace of God which brings salvation to me. I don’t have to measure up to God’s holiness–Christ did it for me. Christianity brings hope like no other belief.

-Pastor Mike