Good Enough?

TERRY SHANAHAN, NE REGIONAL PASTOR

“We believe that for salvation for lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential”

I grew up in a religious tradition that emphasized and encouraged working your way into Heaven. If a person was “good enough” they could “earn” salvation and could be assured of Heaven. This became a “belief” for me, and eventually became a crisis of faith when I became aware that I could never be “good enough” to gain Heaven. There would always be something or someway that I fell short. I wasn’t even able to remain “good” from one trip to the confessional to the next one a week later. Even though not knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for me on the Cross, it became clear to me that nothing I could do would earn my salvation. Although this was cause for despair at the time, I am thankful for that despair which made me open to the leading of the Holy Spirit who brings regeneration.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

With the pathway closed to my own futile efforts at salvation, the Holy Spirit was able to begin a work in me that was truly of Him and not anything that I could accomplish. Through the Spirit’s relentless pursuit of this lost soul, He brought me to the firm realization that our Lord Jesus Christ made a decision for me on the Cross as He willingly laid down His life that I may have new life. Nothing of me or my weak attempts at goodness could have earned this, only His unconditional love for me, a lost sinner could accomplish it.

I now know and believe that for salvation for lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, because I have experienced it firsthand. I am thankful every day for the love and grace that He has poured out for me. Yes, even His own blood, which paid a price I could never pay.