THE TRUTH IN A BARBER’S SHOP
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Isaiah 64:6 |
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But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities like the wind, have taken us away. KJV |
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. NIV |
Bishop Taylor Smith, who was the Anglican Bishop of Sierra Leone at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, was sitting in a barber shop one day having a shave. As was usual with him, he struck up a conversation with the barber with a view to telling him about the Saviour. He asked the barber if he was right with God, to which he replied: I do my best and that’s good enough for me!
When the Bishop’s shave was completed and the next customer had taken his place, he asked: May I shave this customer? Oh no! replied the barber. 
But I’d do my best, said the Bishop.
So you might, replied the barber, but your best would not be good enough for this customer.
No, and neither is yours good enough for God, was the Bishop’s reply. You are saved by letting God do His best for you, which is exactly what He did at Calvary.
The Bible is very clear on what will happen to those who ignore the message of Salvation. It is also very clear that doing your best is not acceptable. You may live your whole life working for and giving to the poor and looking after family and friends, but until you come to the place where you actually meet Jesus and invite Him into your life to take over and begin to live for Him and Him alone, you are NOT saved.
All the things we think are good and wholesome, are as filthy rags to God, they are like a leaf which will fade away.
Only what’s done in Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ, will last and you can only get into Jesus and do things for Him by inviting Him in, and living for Him day by day.