What if doing good is not enough ………There was once a man known throughout his Village for his Kindness and his heart of Giving. He gave freely, helped the poor, and never turned away anyone in need. People loved him for this act, and many believed he was truly walking in the way of the Lord and in righteousness.
what if doing good is not enough
One day, He was about to embark on journey—a life race said to lead to eternal reward. Without hesitation, the man prepared himself to run. His heart was confident, believing that his good deeds had already secured his place at the finish line.
As he stood at the starting point, ready to begin, several people approached him. They were hungry, tired, and in need of money. Without thinking twice, he reached into his pocket and gave to each of them generously.
Then he said to them,
“If you are able, come along with me on this journey.”
Touched by his kindness, they agreed and joined him.
Together, they began the race.
The journey was long and difficult. There were moments of exhaustion, distractions, and obstacles, but the man kept moving forward, encouraged by the people he had helped. He believed that bringing others along made his journey even more meaningful.
Finally, they reached the end of the race.
There, in radiant glory, stood Jesus—surrounded by many others. The atmosphere was filled with light, peace, and divine presence. Overwhelmed with emotion, the man fell to his knees and cried out:
“Jesus, my Saviour!”
He stretched out his hands, trying to move closer to Him.
But suddenly…
A man dressed in black appeared before him, holding a cane. With a stern face, he began to block his way—chasing him back each time he tried to draw near.
Confused and terrified, the man cried louder,
“Lord! Lord! I gave, I helped, I ran the race!”
But the barrier remained.
Bible Verses to Reflect On
📖 Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven… And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me.’”
📖 1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
📖 1 Samuel 16:7
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
📖 Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Biblical Lessons Learned
1. Good Works Alone Are Not Enough
The man was generous, but generosity alone does not guarantee salvation. Salvation comes through a true relationship with Christ, not just actions.
➡️ Lesson: Don’t rely only on what you do—focus on knowing Jesus deeply.
2. Relationship Over Religion is good
Calling Jesus “Saviour” at the end is not enough if there was no genuine relationship during the journey.
➡️ Lesson: Walk with Christ daily, not just in moments of need.
3. The Heart Matters More Than Appearances
Outward generosity can hide an inward emptiness or lack of surrender.
➡️ Lesson: Let your heart be fully yielded to God, not just your actions.
4. The Race Must Be Run the Right Way
It’s not just about starting or even finishing—it’s about how you run the race.
➡️ Lesson: Stay aligned with God’s will, not human approval.
5. Not Everyone Who Starts Will Enter
The presence of the man in black symbolizes judgment, accountability, or spiritual deception—something that reveals truth at the end.
➡️ Lesson: Examine your life now—don’t wait until the finish line.
Closing Reflection
This story is a call to look deeper.
It is not enough to give…
It is not enough to run…
It is not enough to say “Lord, Lord”…
What matters most is this:
Does Jesus truly know you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Help me not to rely on my works alone, but to build a true relationship with You.
Search my heart and remove anything that is not pleasing to You.
Teach me to run this race with sincerity, obedience, and faith.
Let my life reflect not just good deeds, but a deep connection with Christ.
So that on the last day, I will not be turned away, but welcomed into Your presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.