You can be perfect

Recently on two separate occasions involving two separate people, I have heard the following:
"I know I am going to Heaven, I'm a good person".

You might be reading this right now and thinking to yourself…..me too!!

So here is a story:

There were two brothers in a small town who were known as the town trouble makers.
One day one of the brothers died and the other brother began his search for a pastor who would do the funeral.
Knowing what kind of delinquent the dead brother was, it was hard to find a pastor in the small town who was willing to conduct the funeral. Finally, the brother approached a pastor that accepted.
The brother said to the pastor, "I have a favor to ask of you as well".
"What is the favor?", the pastor replied.
The brother said, "There are going to be quite a few important people in attendance, and I would like you for you to call my brother a Saint at some point during the funeral".
Knowing what kind of mischief the boy raised during his time on earth, the pastor hesitated.
The brother said, "I will pay you $1,000.00"
The pastor thought for a little while longer, and then finally agreed to the request.
At the funeral, the pastor began to speak about the deceased brother.
"Here lies a young man who was an atrocious citizen, he was a thief, a bully, a trouble maker in his community, a drunkard, and basically wretched in every way"
The brother sat stunned, staring at the pastor in disbelief.
The pastor continued, "…….but compared to his brother……..he was a saint!"

Here is the point: You might be a good person……but compared to who?

When compared to your neighbor or friends you might be a good person, but compared to the perfection of Jesus Christ, we are farther from "good" than the East is from the West.

Perfection is the only way we get into the pearly gates and in the presence of God and we cannot attain that perfection on our own. We are in need of something or someone perfect to pay our way in. That would be Jesus.

Does he dwell inside of you?
Do you know Him?
Do you walk with Him?
Does He guide you?

He is the only way to perfection. There is no other option.
And you can be perfect.