Not "Good Enough"

There is a dangerous, pervading mentality working its way through the church today like so much infection... eating away at the very flesh of the body of Christ.  It can easily be summed up in one simple phrase, which I have heard far too many times emanating from the mouths of believers:  "Well, that's good enough."  Usually that phrase is clarified and elaborated upon by explanations that leave me nearly speechless (and those of you who know me know that being speechless is not a common problem for me).  These Christians will go on to say something like, "It's not like I'm getting paid to do this, you know.  My work for the church is strictly volunteer, so this should be sufficient.  If I were getting paid to do it, that would be a whole different story."  My friends, take heed.  That mentality, that willingness to settle for less than your very best, that downright foolish laziness is part of what is destroying the church and its influence in the world today.  God has never asked us to do just enough to get by because He Himself has done the most excellent things for us and on our behalf.

In Acts 3:1-26 we can read the account of the healing of the lame man by Jesus' disciple, Peter.  This man had been lying next to the gate outside the temple court for years, lame from birth.  Each day, as people passed by to enter into the temple court, this beggar would plead for alms (money given to someone as an act of mercy) so that he might be able to survive yet another day, pitiful as those days were.  When Peter began to enter the temple courtyard, he encountered the man and heard his plea for money, but Peter and his companions did not have anything to give to the beggar.  However, the story did not end there.  Rather, Peter approached the man, took him by the hand, and commanded that he be healed in Jesus' name and that he get up and walk.  Not only did the beggar rise to his feet, but Scripture tells us he "... jumped up, began walking around, and entered into the temple courtyard leaping and jumping and loudly praising God."  Because Peter had done an excellent thing, the beggar was able to do an excellent job of showing those present what it meant to be healed by the Lord and changed for the rest of his life.

If you are a Christian (a Christ-follower), you have been healed of your past life and all its infirmities associated with sin.  You have been raised up in a new life and given the power to do great things in His name.  And now, you are an example for others to follow, that they might see the amazing difference that Jesus has made in your life and be drawn to Him for that same kind of life.  No one has ever been brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by someone who was content to just do "good enough."

Last year we were preparing for our annual Christmas cantata at the church and were holding a work day for women who wanted to help sew costumes for the actors and actresses.  At that time, my cousin Katherine was living in the area and had asked if she could join in on the work, even though she did not attend our church.  I accepted her invitation with gladness, and we were working diligently at putting together costumes for the magi (the "wise men," as some would say).  Another lady had been sewing on her piece for a time and had "finished" her work, so she brought it to me for my approval.  The first thing that caught my eye was the fact that the gown had not been hemmed at the bottom.  When I inquired about that, the lady responded, "Well, it's just a costume and I figured we'd just leave it.  I'll cut the fabric with pinking shears so it doesn't ravel.  That should be good enough."  To that statement I replied, "Hello.  My name is Patricia Eikmeier.  Have we met before?"  My cousin began to chuckle because she knew exactly what I was trying to convey to the woman.  Good enough?!  I have never been content to do something that was just "good enough" and I had no intention of beginning to cultivate that habit or accept it from anyone else.  Thirty minutes later, the costume had been properly hemmed and met with my resounding approval... and that lady was able to take pride in the beautiful job she had done with it.  I must tell you that we received countless praises for the breathtaking costumes by those who attended the cantata that year.  Many of them told me, "We have never had such a professional looking drama accompany our cantatas here in the past.  You ladies did an awesome job creating those costumes and setting the mood for the terrific job done by the choir!"

If you are reading this blog today, I encourage you to take a critical look at the job you have been doing representing Jesus Christ to those around you.  Have you been performing just "good enough" to get by?
-  Being in church for Sunday morning worship, but never darkening the door again throughout the week is
    NOT good enough.
-  Quickly spouting off a memorized prayer before the meal when company is present, but never spending
    time alone with God in your personal prayer closet is NOT good enough.
-  Throwing a couple of dollars into the offering plate, but never considering the importance of the tithe and
    the blessing it represents is NOT good enough.
-  Doing a half-hearted job because it's just for the church and you're not being paid for it, but never
    considering the price that was paid for your salvation is NOT good enough.

Christians are not called to perfection.  If we were able to reach perfection then Christ's death at Calvary would have been a waste.  It is only through the cleansing, atoning blood of Jesus that we can be perfected and made holy to be presented to a holy God.  Christians are called, however, to excellence.  If we are truly followers (imitators) of Jesus Christ, we cannot... dare not... settle for anything less.  This call to excellence must be a part of everything we do, whether in or out of the church.  We must be excellent employees, representing the faith to our fellow workers and our employer.  We must be excellent neighbors representing Christ to those living on our block and beyond.  We are called to be excellent parents, spouses, and children that our lives might glorify God and draw the ones we love to Him.  Above all, when serving the body of believers in the local church, we must always seek excellence in what we do.  Are we representing the name of Jesus Christ in the best way possible, or are we content to do "just good enough" to get by?

Our salvation does not depend upon our works.  Let me state that clearly here.  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  However, understand that our rewards in heaven will be determined by our actions here on earth.  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."  
(2 Corinthians 5:10)  And again we are told, when Christ returns:  "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."  (Revelation 22:12)  I have heard Christians say (far too many times to suit me), "I'll be satisfied with just a little cottage over in the far corner of heaven.  I'm not asking for much."  My friends, why would we ever be satisfied with that when we can inherit a mansion like that given to Jesus Christ Himself.  If we are indeed "joint heirs" with Jesus, shall we not look forward to receiving the rewards He has received?  Our works here on earth will be rewarded accordingly.  Half-hearted works will result in little reward.  Excellence in all we do will result in great rewards for eternity.  It's just as simple as that.  Never be satisfied with "good enough."  

 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

(2 Peter 1:3-4)