We usually share the gospel when we have
an opportunity, wherever we go. Most of the time, we ask questions like,
"Do you think there is an afterlife? Do you know where you are going after
you die? Mostly the answer is, "I don’t know, or I hope I’m going to
heaven because I’m a good person and done good works." People who answered
this way usually have not read the Holy Bible, the instruction Book for Life
itself. They have the wrong idea that as long as their good works outweigh
their bad, God will let them into heaven. The Bible reminds us that all our
good works, or righteous acts, are like filthy rags, there is none good no not
one, only God is good, righteous, just and holy.
But we are all as an unclean
thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a
leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 KJV
As it is written, There is none
righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10 KJV
Tragically, there
are many who trust their own self-righteousness and good works to save them
from going to hell. In fact, many think that the way to have their sins
forgiven is to say "I’m sorry" and then do good works, but that won’t
work in a court of law. In a court of law, you stand before the judge and tell
the judge, "I’ve broken the law and committed a crime, but I want to tell
you I’m a good person and done many good works." The judge will say, you’re
not here for your good works; you are here because of the crime you committed,
and for your crime only shall you be judged not for your good works. If that
doesn't work in man's court, how much more in God's court, on the day of
judgement? God will not judge you by your good works but according to His
standard the Ten Commandments and the sins you have committed towards Him in
thought, word and deed. God is forgiving and merciful, but He is also the God
of justice, truth, and righteousness.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV
The Ten Commandments convict our hearts of sin and show us how desperately wicked we are and therefore need a Saviour. If you lie, you’re a liar (Proverbs 19:5), if you stole anything regardless of the value even once, you’re a thief (Exodus 20:15), if you looked with lust, you’re an adulterer at heart (Matthew 5:27,28), if you took God’s name in vain, you’re a blasphemer (Exodus 20:7), if you hate someone, you’re a murderer at heart (1 John 3:15). You can never boost of your good works to make it to heaven because it is purely by God’s grace and by faith in Jesus Christ alone. We cannot earn salvation by our good works; good works are the result of salvation.
Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. Galatians 3:24 KJV
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. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
KJV
Some people asked Jesus, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus immediately points them to faith, that you believe in Him whom the Father have sent.
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29 KJV
The Bible is clear that salvation is a free gift, not through works that we have done but according to His mercy. Those who believe, repent and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour and Lord (born-again, will have everlasting life) and what He has done for you through the death, burial and resurrection. No good works can ever save you only by the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross of Calvary.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15 KJV
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Galatians 3:22 KJV
Blessings in Christ.
David & Gay
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