One time when I was eight, I found a wounded bird in my backyard and took care of it until it was ready to fly again. In high school I volunteered in a kindergarten classroom everyday after school. I’ve been on mission trips, worked with homeless ministries and donated blood. I try my hardest to tell the truth and always have a shoulder open for anyone to cry on.
But I’m not a good person.
No matter how many acts of kindness I commit, no matter how often I tithe at church or give to someone less fortunate than me, I’m never going to be a good person.
What I am- what we all are- is a sinner.
I like to believe that doing good things makes me good. If I go to class, do my homework and get along with my roommates, God will applaud me for my excellent work. Because at least I did better than the kid who slept through class.
It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of trying to earn salvation by pleasing God. Society tells us that someone is good when they donate thousands of dollars to an abuse shelter or visit an orphanage in a third-world country, so that must be what God believes, too.
But it’s not.
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3: 10-12
The truth is, no one can be “good” in the eyes of God because our kindness will always be clouded with self-righteousness and our acts of generosity will be followed by sin.
We’ve replaced God’s Truth with the belief that there won’t be any judgment for our sins if we just try our best and are "good."
But I’m sure there were plenty of people who thought they were “good” when God flooded the earth.
Because even though God is love and God is mercy, God is also just.
No, that doesn’t give you an excuse to go out and steal someone’s car or cheat on a test, and it doesn’t mean the good things you do for others will go unnoticed. The kindness of your heart can still turn someone’s eyes to the Lord.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
We’re all sinners; a million good deeds aren’t going to change that, but we are offered salvation through a merciful God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the Gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Be kind to people because God was kind to you. Love your neighbor because Christ loves them, too. Most importantly, you should strive to be a Godly person, not a "good" one.