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Will "Good Works" Get You Into Heaven?
Writer: NR Caetta | February 2014
Many so called Christian people feel that their entry into heaven will be because of some 'good works' they do. Maybe contributing to charities, doing volunteer work, teaching Sunday School class, attending church twice a week, singing in the choir, and the list goes on and on.
Even some preachers feel that because they stand in the pulpit and preach, collect money, have all these activities in the church and do tons of other things that is what makes them eligible for heaven. Here is what Scripture says:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us... Titus 3:5
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:16
Additional Scriptures regarding "none doeth good."
Psalms 14:1-3
(verse 1) [[To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.]] The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.
(verse 2) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
(verse 3) They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.Psalms 14 verses 1-3,
Psalms 53:1-3(verse 1) [[To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.]] The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.
(verse 2) God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.
(verse 3) Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.Psalms 53 verses 1-3,
Micah 7:2The good [man] is perished out of the earth: and [there is] none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.Micah 7 verse 2,
Matthew 19:17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.Matthew 19 verse 17,
Mark 10:18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.Mark 10 verse 18,
Luke 18:19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none [is] good, save one, [that is], God.Luke 18 verse 19,
Romans 3:12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.Romans 3 verse 12
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:13-23
So if you cannot get into heaven by your WORKS, then how?
Simply, as the Bible says — trusting in what Jesus did on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Always look to the message of the cross and receive Jesus into your heart, then He will change your hate to love, your wicked, evil ways to loving your Christian brother.
NR Caetta is a 1961 graduate from Zion Bible Institute in East Providence, Rhode Island where she studied Bible Theology.