You Can’t Be Good Enough to Get into Heaven
Many believe that if they are “good enough,” God will let them into heaven. This assumes that heaven is based on human effort, rather than God’s grace. But the Bible clearly teaches that no amount of good works can save us.
“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
God’s standard is absolute perfection because He is holy. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But even our best efforts are not enough to meet His standard.
Isaiah 64:6 — “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”
A.W. Tozer wrote, “The holiness of God, the wrath of God, and the health of creation are inseparably united. Not only can He not lie, but He also cannot be indifferent to sin.”
The Problem of Sin
Sin separates us from God, making heaven impossible to attain by our own efforts.
Romans 3:23 — “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Isaiah 59:2 — “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”
Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
How Can a Really Small Sin Hurt Anything?
Some people think, “Well if it’s just a little sin, a small sin, it’s not going to really matter.”
J.C. Ryle once wrote: “There are no ‘little’ sins, because there is no ‘little’ God to sin against.”
The Failure of Good Works to Save Anybody
Some also believe that good deeds can outweigh bad ones. But this is not biblical.
James 2:10 — “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
“If you trust to yourself, you will be lost; but if you come to Christ, you cannot be lost.” (Charles Spurgeon)
The Only Way to Heaven: Jesus Christ
Jesus is the only way to salvation—not one of many, but the only way. John 14:6 — “Jesus said to him (His apostle Thomas) , “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”
Acts 4:12 — “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 — “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
“Christ is never fully valued until sin is clearly seen.” (J.C. Ryle)
“Jesus Christ knows the worst about you. Nonetheless, He is the one who loves you the most.” (A.W. Tozer)
How to Receive Salvation
- The Bible is clear—salvation is a gift, not a reward for good behavior. And there is nothing you can do to save yourself.
- John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Mere Belief Is Not Enough
It is also important understand that mere belief in Christ will not get you into heaven. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?” (James 2:19-20)
James is saying that mere belief, without any demonstrable outward proof that one has been truly converted (saved), is not enough to get into Heaven.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
You Cannot Save Yourself
Only God can save us. If someone is not saved, but a stirring in the heart is felt, it may be that God is calling to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. If God is calling, one should immediately accept Christ as there are no second chances after someone dies a physical death.
Those who refuse Christ are condemned to hell for eternity where these is gnawing and gnashing of teeth and eternal fire. “but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12)
God knows beforehand whom He will save. “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,” (Ephesians 1:4-5). This is known as the Doctrine of Election.
What You Will Never Know Unless
Charles Spurgeon once said, “You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else.”
Watch a 30-second video here.
The Urgency of Salvation
Trusting in one’s own goodness is dangerous. It can lead to self-righteousness or despair. Proverbs 16:25 reminds us, “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
- If you have not already done so, would you like to receive Christ as your Savior today? Pray and ask Him to save you. Message me privately by clicking here for our contact form if you have questions about faith and salvation.
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Blessings to you and your loved ones,
Pastor John
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org