- Matthew 11:28
If you're like many people, you realize that you don't always do what is right, you're not perfect; you realize that you sin. Perhaps, like many, you think that if you do enough good works, the good will outweigh the bad, and God will hopefully think that you are "good enough" and will let you into heaven.
It is a tragedy that so many people believe that this is the way God works. This is not a true representation of His economy: good works cannot "cancel out" bad works. In fact, Isaiah 64:6 explains that our good works, our righteousnesses, are like "filthy rags" to God.
Eternal life in heaven is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy" (Titus 3:5). Ephesians 2:8-9 explains: "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." We should follow God's commandments, but not for the sake of gaining salvation from an eternal separation from God in hell.
Justification, the canceling out of our sins, is not the purpose of good works and following God's commandments. Romans 3:20 says, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." The purpose of the commandments was to show us that we cannot live up to them, that we are not and cannot be perfect and blameless before God. We cannot of our own merit earn the right to be in heaven for eternity.
This is where Jesus comes in. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified on a cross, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. Why? Why did He humble Himself to come down from heaven and live as a man on earth? Why was He crucified? This was God's plan for salvation!.
Hebrews 9:22 tells us that "without shedding of blood is no remission." This word "remission" means "release from bondage or imprisonment; forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty." It is possible for you to pay for your own sins, and unfortunately many people will: they will live in anguish forever in the lake of fire. But the good news is that you don't have to - Jesus paid the price for your sins when He died on the cross! He was the perfect sacrifice; His blood is the only thing that can "cancel out" our unrighteousness.
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." All roads do not lead to heaven, but Jesus does. He is the Way. And through simple faith and trust in His payment for your sins by His death, and His power over death by His resurrection three days later, anyone who calls upon His name can have eternal security.
Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.