“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
–Romans 3:10-12
It is truly amazing the number of people who have little more than a vague idea of HOW to wind up in HEAVEN.
But thinking back to when this writer was a heathen, it was remembered when the statement was made: “I’m not real sure of how to get to heaven, but someday, I’m going to sit down, spend some time and figure it all out.”
Most claim they are a ‘good person’ or have done a ‘good deed’ because they compare their behaviors to that of well-known serial killers.
But God’s Word is clear: there is NO ONE who is ‘good enough’ to make it into heaven on their own.
“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. “
–Psalm 14:2-3
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
–Romans 3:23
“…Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
–Psalm 53:1-3
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
–Romans 3:10-12
Besides, those who hold the view that they have to have more good deeds than bad ones to go to heaven, turn GOD-THE-CREATOR-OF-ALL from the Perfect Judge who will judge perfectly into a sort of GOD-THE-ALMIGHTY-WEIGHER-OF-DEEDS.
Sort of like God is the keeper of a set of cosmic scales, which can put a number on good deeds, whether a person once helped old ladies across the street OR saved babies from a burning building.
Many believe that IF they do more good deeds than bad, they will wind up in heaven where God will make EVERYTHING all good.
OF COURSE, each person telling the story is the one who judges 1) whether a behavior is good or bad; 2) how much value to assign to their good deeds; 3) whether any ulterior motives made them do their good deeds; and, 4) if bad behaviors were not just ‘playing around.’ God seems to be left completely out of their equations.
SO, IF a person does not get to heaven with performing good deeds, how does one get to heaven?
Well, if one is trying to do good, it gets VERY difficult VERY quickly.
FIRST, PERFECT obedience is required.
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
–James 2:10
SECOND, it requires a GREAT AMOUNT of GOD’S MERCY. NO ONE is saved without God’s mercy.
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”
–Romans 9:15-16
Ephesians 2 gives the PERFECT FORMULA for ETERNAL SALVATION.
“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
SO, God’s GREAT MERCY (grace) is activated by a person’s faith.
This opens the door to trusting (putting one’s faith) COMPLETELY on Jesus Christ.
“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”
–Ephesians 2:13-20
DOES the reader wish to go to heaven?
DOES the reader desire to obtain ETERNAL SALVATION?
Then the reader needs to place ALL of his faith for obtaining that salvation on Jesus Christ.
And trust God’s Great Mercy to do the rest.
HAS the reader ever spent much time contemplating the particulars of eternal salvation?
It is not YET too late: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 20, 2022.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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