The Righteousness of Faith · §18

Do not say, I am not good enough

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Neither say in your heart, I cannot be accepted yet, because I am not good enough. Who is good enough? Who ever was, to merit acceptance at God's hands? Was ever any child of Adam good enough for this? Or will any be, until the consummation of all things? And as for you, you are not good at all. There lives in you no good thing. And you never will be, until you believe in Jesus. Rather, you will find yourself worse and worse. But is there any need of being worse in order to be accepted? Are you not bad enough already? Indeed you are, and God knows it. And you yourself cannot deny it. Then do not delay. All things are now ready. Arise, and wash away your sins. The fountain is open. Now is the time to wash you white in the blood of the Lamb. Now he shall purge you as with hyssop, and you shall be clean. He shall wash you, and you shall be whiter than snow.

1771 text

Neither say in thy heart, “I can’t be accepted yet, because I am not good enough.” Who is good enough? Who ever was? To merit acceptance at God’s hand’s? Was ever any child of Adam good enough for this? Or will any, till the consummation of all things? And as for thee, thou art not good at all: there dwelleth in thee no good thing. And thou never wilt be, till thou believe in Jesus. Rather thou wilt find thyself worse and worse. But is there any need of being worse, in order to be accepted? Art thou not bad enough already? Indeed thou art, and that God knoweth. And thou thyself canst not deny it. Then delay not. All things are now ready. Arise and wash away thy sins. The fountain is open. Now is the time, to wash thee white in the blood of the Lamb. Now he shall purge thee as with hyssop, and thou shalt be clean; he shall wash thee, and thou shalt be whiter than snow.

About this text

Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.

Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.

Catalogue & scope

Sermon 6 in the 1771 Works. Romans 10:5-8.

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