- 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 because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy" (Titus 3:5). Ephesians 2:8-9 explains: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may 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, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes 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 said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through 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
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 5:8
But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Acts 16:31
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world,that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.