Our conscience gives us a sense of right and wrong; and logic says if our right doings outweigh our wrongdoings or if we do some incredibly great right deed then we will be assured of going to heaven- but the Bible does not support human efforts to earn salvation.
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Corinthians 15:50.
CONTEXT
This verse is from a section of the Bible where the Apostle teaches about the future believer's resurrection and what we will be like.
THE PROBLEM
If flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God then it cannot earn it either. The good deeds done in the strength of our earthly being will not be sufficient to satisfy the holy requirements of God.
The Lord Almighty is holy and his justice is absolute. We cannot satisfy God's justice because we are sinners. Any good that we do will be stained by our sinfulness. None of our motives are ever pure. Even if we did enough good to get to heaven the good is no longer good because the self-serving motive of doing it to go to heaven would tarnish it and God's holiness would not accept it.
This means there is nothing that anyone can do to earn a place in heaven.
GOD'S SOLUTION
Because we couldn't do it God did. He sent His son Jesus to take our sin and judgment upon himself as a perfect substitution on our behalf. He offers us the righteousness of Jesus and salvation as a free gift and He gives it to any who will take it.
All he asks is that we accept his offer.
To learn more about how to go to heaven read my post above at the tab titled The Gospel.
FOOTNOTE
Once you receive the Gift of Salvation the good you do will have greater meaning; you will do good as thanksgivings to God and as a partnership with God in doing good, which is far greater than doing good to earn salvation.
"I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." 1 Corinthians 15:50.
CONTEXT
This verse is from a section of the Bible where the Apostle teaches about the future believer's resurrection and what we will be like.
THE PROBLEM
If flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God then it cannot earn it either. The good deeds done in the strength of our earthly being will not be sufficient to satisfy the holy requirements of God.
The Lord Almighty is holy and his justice is absolute. We cannot satisfy God's justice because we are sinners. Any good that we do will be stained by our sinfulness. None of our motives are ever pure. Even if we did enough good to get to heaven the good is no longer good because the self-serving motive of doing it to go to heaven would tarnish it and God's holiness would not accept it.
This means there is nothing that anyone can do to earn a place in heaven.
GOD'S SOLUTION
Because we couldn't do it God did. He sent His son Jesus to take our sin and judgment upon himself as a perfect substitution on our behalf. He offers us the righteousness of Jesus and salvation as a free gift and He gives it to any who will take it.
All he asks is that we accept his offer.
To learn more about how to go to heaven read my post above at the tab titled The Gospel.
FOOTNOTE
Once you receive the Gift of Salvation the good you do will have greater meaning; you will do good as thanksgivings to God and as a partnership with God in doing good, which is far greater than doing good to earn salvation.
To learn about my books of poems visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.
(c) Adron
