The day I quit trying to be good enough

For years I kept score. I tried to be kind enough, honest enough, religious enough. On good days I felt I was doing all right. On bad days I knew I wasn't, so I promised myself I'd try harder. The bar kept moving, and I was exhausted.

The day everything changed was the day I stopped trying to earn God's approval and found out it couldn't be earned at all.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

(Romans 3:23)

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”

(Isaiah 64:6)

Even my best efforts couldn't close the gap.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(Romans 6:23)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8)

On the cross Jesus said,

“It is finished.”

(John 19:30)

There was nothing left for me to add.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”

(Titus 3:5)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

(Romans 10:9)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

(Romans 10:13)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

(Romans 8:1)

I still want to live well, but now it's out of thanks, not fear.

Admit you can't be good enough. Believe that Jesus died and rose again for you. Call on Him, and receive the gift.