Jesus Isn’t Enough vs. Jesus Is Enough

Mormonism teaches that while Jesus’ atonement is vital for salvation, it is not entirely sufficient on its own. This perspective is reflected in Doctrine and Covenants 58:42, which emphasizes repentance and obedience to commandments as necessary for forgiveness, and in 2 Nephi 25:23, which states, “…it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” These verses imply a requirement for personal efforts, in essence, “more of man” in addition to faith in Christ.

In biblical Christianity, the focus is on the complete sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice. For instance, Romans 10:9 declares, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” emphasizing eternal life as a result of faith in Jesus alone. Another powerful testament to this sufficiency is found in John 19:30, where Jesus says, “It is finished” upon the cross, signifying the work required for salvation. This phrase indicates that nothing more needs to be added to his finished work for redemption. Similarly, Acts 16:31 simplifies the path to eternal with the words, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” — a straightforward declaration of the sufficiency of faith in Christ for salvation.

These contrasting viewpoints highlight a fundamental difference in understanding the reception of forgiveness of sins and eternal between Mormonism and biblical Christianity. While Mormonism advocates for a combination of Jesus’ atonement and human effort, biblical Christianity upholds the belief that faith in Jesus’ complete and final sacrifice is sufficient for forgiveness and eternal life.

How can we be confident that Jesus is enough to forgive sins and attain eternal life?

The Prophet Isaiah foresaw the completeness of Christ’s mission when he wrote in Isaiah 53:5, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” These words echo a wholeness delivered in full measure by Jesus’ sacrifice—a totality that leaves no room for human addition.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, cuts through the complexities of spiritual attainment when he wrote in Colossians 2:10, “And in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” This fullness is not a conditional promise; it is the immediate reality for those placing their trust in the finished work of Jesus.

Why is the notion that Jesus isn’t enough so precarious?

Teaching that Jesus isn’t enough for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life is akin to declaring that the sun’s light is insufficient to dispel darkness, implying that our small candle must contribute. This belief ushers in an endless cycle of striving, where peace is as elusive as the horizon to the weary traveler.

The embracing of something more beyond the work of Christ is a journey down a path fraught with spiritual fatigue and, ultimately, failure. In contrast, the book of Hebrews declares Jesus as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The perfecter does not require assistants; he completes the work of faith in us, inviting us into a restful trust rather than a restless toil.

To believe we must augment Christ’s redemptive act is to misunderstand the essence of grace. It’s a misstep that Paul swiftly corrects in Romans 8:1, where he wrote boldly, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This “no condemnation” verdict is a liberating proclamation for all who are in Christ, for the trusting, the doubting, and the still seeking.

What does the message of “Jesus is enough” mean for you?

The profound message of “Jesus is enough” resonates with a personal and robust assurance that there’s nothing more we can add to what Christ has done for us. This truth is beautifully encapsulated in Revelation 21:6, where Jesus proclaims, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” It’s a declaration that in him, our spiritual quest reaches its fulfillment, eliminating the need for further qualifications or achievements on our part.

This invitation to trust in Jesus is all-encompassing, offering peace, rest, and spiritual fullness. Embracing his life, death, and resurrection means entering a state of rest that he offers—a rest from our striving to add to his completed work. In this embrace, we find the joy of living in the truth that he is indeed enough. This realization brings profound joy from knowing we are fully loved, accepted, and embraced by Jesus, just as we are, by simply trusting in him.

In recognizing the sufficiency of Jesus, we find not only the answer to our spiritual questions but also the culmination of our spiritual search. There’s no more we can add, no higher accolade to achieve beyond the grace already secured by him. This knowledge fills us with the indescribable joy of being completely loved, thoroughly forgiven, and eternally secure. For in the revelation of our weakness, his strength is made perfect, and in his strength, we discover our true purpose and peace. Jesus is enough.

A Closer Look: Christ’s Sufficiency

Having explored the profound theological contrast between Mormonism’s “more man” approach and the Christian belief that “Jesus is enough,” let’s delve into a personal journey that embodies this disparity. Braden’s story offers a real-life illustration of this theological concept. Raised in Mormonism, Braden faced the relentless pursuit of spiritual adequacy, only to discover the transformative power of Christ’s sufficiency. His narrative transitions from doctrinal teachings to a personal testament, highlighting how the realization that Jesus is indeed enough can profoundly change one’s faith and life.

Growing up Mormon, Braden grappled with a pivotal question: Is Jesus alone sufficient to forgive sins and attain eternal life? The portrayal of Jesus in his religious education seemed incomplete, and his efforts at righteousness felt perpetually inadequate. The anxiety of whether he could ever do enough to earn God’s favor was a constant shadow over his life.

One significant day, while discussing his baptismal steps toward exaltation, Braden encountered a young Christian girl. Her simple declaration, “Jesus is enough. All I need is Jesus,” initially irritated him. After all, he was part of the “one true church,” enriched with extra scriptures and unique authority. Surely, mere belief in Jesus couldn’t be the entire answer.

Braden was taught a conditional faith: Jesus would fulfill his part only if Braden fulfilled his. This belief thrust him into a relentless cycle of striving for worthiness. Despite his diligent adherence to Mormon rituals – baptism, confirmation, weekly sacrament, endless confession, and persistent repentance – Braden confessed, “It never seemed enough.”

As Braden matured, the realization dawned that within Mormonism, neither Jesus nor his own efforts were adequate for sin forgiveness or eternal life with God. The precarious dependence on his flawed works led to a profound spiritual crisis. Braden concluded Jesus wasn’t enough, and neither was he. Yet, Braden clung to his familiar beliefs until a transformative encounter with God’s word would change his life forever.

In the Bible, Braden met a Jesus, unlike the one presented in Mormon teachings. This Jesus wasn’t just his elder brother or an exemplar; he was the eternal, incarnate God, embodying a perfect life beyond Braden’s reach. Studying John 1:1, Braden recognized Jesus as the uncreated God in human form. Echoing Thomas’s words in John’s Gospel, he acknowledged, “My Lord and My God!” Grasping the totality of Christ’s sacrifice, Braden embraced the liberating gospel of grace, finding solace in the sufficiency of Christ’s eternal embrace.

As Braden saw Jesus anew, he was awestruck by the realization that Jesus endured God’s wrath on the cross, declaring, “It is finished!” before Braden could merit it. Jesus’ sacrificial death offered him forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life with God. Through the power of God’s word, Braden placed his faith in Jesus’ completed work, gaining clarity, confidence, and comfort.

In answer to his pivotal question about Christ’s sufficiency, Braden learned a profound truth: Trusting solely in Jesus, rather than in his deeds, didn’t diminish Jesus’ sacrifice but instead elevated the glory and honor due to his name. Only Jesus could fully bear the burden of Braden’s sins and secure his eternal life with God, and he did. This revelation transformed Braden’s life and soul with glorious freedom and relief.

Dear friend, is Jesus enough for you, too? He is. Receive God’s gift of eternity through his accomplished work on the cross. Abandon futile striving and embrace the joyous freedom found in Christ. Jesus is enough.