When we think about how good of a Christian we are, we end up in one of two extremes (and sometimes bounce between the two):
(1) We become proud and self-righteous, because we think we have our act together. We consider ourselves morally superior to others.
(2) We despair because we recognize that we do not have our act together. We focus on our flaws and sins and consider ourselves unworthy.
But both the self-righteous and the despairing make the same mistake. They are both trusting in their own efforts. They are considering their outcome dependent on their own level of righteousness.
Neither can rest. The self-righteous must keep striving to keep up their good works and their appearance of perfection. The despairing are plagued by guilt and self-condemnation.
There is Only One Righteous One
To be righteous means to be right with God, but ever since Adam and Eve humanity has had a falling out with God. We’ve inherited sin, and God can never be reconciled with sin. We can never be good enough to enter heaven. No amount of good works, volunteering, Bible study, prayer, or meditation can make us right with God.
There is only one righteous person worthy to enter heaven, and that is Jesus. He never sinned and he always obeyed Father God. That’s great for him, but what about the rest of us?
If we want to enter heaven and live forever with God, we must be found in Christ. God has made a way for us to be reconciled to him. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus paid for our sins when he died on the cross and he gave us his righteousness in exchange. When we make Jesus our Lord and Savoir, we become part of his body, the Church. We are in Christ.
Saved by faith
Most religions are about doing good, but Christianity is different. Christianity recognizes that it is impossible for humans to live “good enough” lives. No one is perfect. Everyone sins. Instead of being about the works we do, Christianity is about the work that Christ has already done for us.
We believe this by faith. We acknowledge our need for God and take him at his word. He has given us Christ’s righteousness and has promised eternal life with him. We can believe him by faith because God has proved his faithfulness, goodness, and sovereignty over many generations.
Salvation by faith is good news for the Pharisees. There’s no need to hide flaws and weaknesses. When they sin, they can point to the glorious mercy of the One who cleanses us of sin. They no longer need to keep up an appearance of religious and moral perfection. They can be authentically honest about their struggles, and at the same time entrust their salvation and sanctification to Jesus.
It is good news for the despairing ones too. They already recognize they will never be able to live a life that is “good enough” according to God’s standards. But now, instead of despairing, they too can trust in the already-complete work of Christ. Instead of focusing on their shortcomings, they are free to focus on Christ’s perfection and receive his righteousness.
Sanctified by Faith
You could say there are three parts to the believer’s journey.
- Salvation / Regeneration. This is when we become a Christian. We decide to accept Jesus’s forgiveness of their sins, and we follow Jesus, making him Lord of our lives. The Bible tells us we are made new, and God’s Holy Spirit comes to live in us.
- This is a fancy word for being made holy, being set apart unto God. As long as we live, we are on a journey of sanctification. As we spend time with God and yield to his work in our lives, we become more like him – slower to anger, more patient, gracious, generous, etc. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s work in us, even though we still wrestle with the flesh and temptation.
- One day when Christ returns, we will see him face to face and be made like him (1 John 3:2). We will be given an incorruptible body and live forever with God in a place of his perfect peace and order, with no sin, sickness, or suffering – the place we call heaven.
We know salvation (1) is by faith. No one can save themself or atone for their sins. We know glorification (3) is by faith, for we cannot make ourselves live forever or become without sin. It follows then that sanctification (2) is also by faith. We do not sanctify ourselves. God sanctifies us. “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Sometimes we think that we are responsible for becoming more holy in this life. It is true Paul writes to the Philippians to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” (2:12), but the rest of the sentence shows how it is God’s work in us. “…For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (2:13).
God doesn’t command us to become more like Jesus and then leave us hanging. He supplies the motives and the ability to obey him. The choice is still ours, but the work is his, and in a divine and mysterious way, he enables us to co-operate with him.
An Invitation into Rest
When we choose follow Christ, we enter rest. No more striving to achieve self-righteousness. No more despair over our lack of self-control. We don’t put our hope in our efforts. We put our hope in Christ.
Whether we tend toward self-righteousness or despair, the answer is to come to Christ. Keep coming to Christ. We humble ourselves and acknowledge our need for a Savior (even after years of being a Christian). He can and will redeem us, no matter how “far gone” we are. We can rest, confident in his faithfulness and his grace.
When we are tempted to despair over our fallenness or boast about our achievements, let us remind ourselves that “what gives us assurance in this matter is not primarily focusing on the measure of our holiness, but on the measure of God’s faithfulness to do the sanctifying work he promises to do,” (John Piper).[1]
Allow me to end with a blessing that lifts our eyes off ourselves and places them on the One worthy of our worship:
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24-25).
Read Also:
Dear Christian, You are a Saint
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
[1] John Piper, God Sanctifies His People, (April 12, 1992) https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/god-sanctifies-his-people (accessed February 16, 2026)
One thought on “Good Enough to Go to Heaven”
This is so apt, and so well put.
To struggle with pride or despair is such a human flaw, pointing us over and over to Christ. But the relief of knowing we can’t do this on our own!