Many people today would summarize their life philosophy this way: Just be a good and kind person and that’s enough. If I’m a good person, it should go well with me. If I’m kind, then I will be accepted. If I’m nice, then I’ll probably make it into heaven just fine. They place their faith in their ability to be good and kind.

Now, being a good and kind person is certainly a great and honorable goal. Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest is to love your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31). The Bible consistently teaches the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. “Love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). “Be kind to one another.” (Ephesians 4:32). “Love your enemies and do good.” (Luke 6:35).

So, is it enough to be a good and kind person? Although pursuing goodness and kindness is honorable, there are two significant problems with this perspective. The first problem involves a misunderstanding of our own goodness. The second problem involves our inability to rightly define who is truly a good person. Ultimately, we’ll see that Jesus has provided everything we need. Although our goodness and kindness is not enough, Jesus is enough.

Is anyone really a good and kind person?

The first problem is that trying to be “good enough” grossly underestimates our inherent bent towards sin. Jesus’ first word in public ministry was repent. He didn’t say, “You’re a pretty good person. Just keep trying to be good and that will be enough.” No. Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

Repentance is the acknowledgement that we’re actually not good and kind people. We are sinners. We fall short. This is where the rub comes with “just be a good person” thinking. As hard as we try to be good people, we can’t overcome our sinful wiring apart from God’s help. So, he calls us to repent, which means to confess and turn away from our sin. The opportunity of repentance is actually a gift, because it means that he is willing to forgive us.

“All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Psalm 14:3

The gospel is the good news that Jesus will forgive us for our sins. He died on the cross to atone for the judgment we deserve for our evil thoughts and actions. If we believe in him, then we are forgiven of all our sins (John 3:16; Romans 3:23). We are no longer under the penalty of death, but God freely forgives and rescues us.

But, the gospel is contradicted by those who say, “I’m a good and kind person.” If you think that you are inherently a good and kind person, then you don’t really need forgiveness. If I am a good person, why do I need Jesus to die on the cross for me? I don’t. When we find our identity in our performance–how good and kind we act–then we are not placing our faith in Christ for salvation. Instead, we’re placing our faith in ourselves.

Whose definition of good are we going to use?

The second problem is that people like to come up with their own definitions of good and kind. Have you ever heard someone talking about living “my truth”? They believe they are a good person, because they set the bar for what justifies a good person. Their definitions are based in their personal moral preferences and not God’s commands. Interestingly, the bar for a good person always seems to be conveniently right underneath their feet.

Their personal morality is often shifty and inconsistent. When you press them to explain their perspective, then you see that “good” is a moving target. Establishing a consistent moral standard–like the Bible does–is too restrictive. Often, they will embrace culture’s morality, because it affords them acceptance and respect from others. If culture says it’s good, then they echo back affirmation. It’s easier to swim downstream with cultural morality. Unfortunately, even some Christians hop on this bandwagon and exchange God’s clear biblical commands for popular opinions from culture. They come to view biblical commands as unloving, outdated, and too rigid.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.

2 Timothy 4:3

But, what if good and kind are not terms we get to define? The Bible is clear that God is the sole authority of what is good and evil. In the book of Revelation we see Jesus sitting on the throne with all authority as the judge over all humanity. He has complete authority to determine who was good and who was evil, who enters heaven and who goes to hell. We see that only those who have their names written in the book of life gain eternal life. Their sins are forgiven and they are welcomed into heaven. Everyone else is eternally punished, because they remain in their sin and refuse God’s grace.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Revelation 20:11-13

Is it enough to be a good and kind person? No. We failed that test long ago. Now we need forgiveness and we need grace. The wonderful news is that Jesus has provided everything we need for salvation and eternal life. By the cross of Christ we can be fully forgiven and freed. Christ is enough.