Good Works Numerous Heresies
Good Works Numerous Heresies
Hmm let us see here:
Will good works get you into heaven?
Good works will not get us into heaven, as the Bible specifically tells us that we can only be saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. But being willing to do good works for the Lord in this life will bring us certain types of rewards as you will see in the Scripture verses.
What does the Bible say about to be saved?
The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith and that is not of ourselves. We are admonished, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you should be saved” . The Bible also commands baptism, but baptism does not save us from sin. Communion cannot save. It is not even our faith that saves, only Jesus saves.
What does it mean to be 'saved' in the Bible?
To be saved means that the Lord Jesus Christ has rescued us from God’s wrath and judgment. I realize that the idea of God’s wrath and judgment are not popular in our day. Our culture would rather believe in a God of love who would never judge anyone.
Is there enough money to buy your way into heaven?
There is not enough money in the world to buy your way into Heaven. If you are not in Christ you are filthy and God sees you as you are and you will be thrown into hell. Your good deeds mean nothing and they will be burned up with you if you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior.
What does the Bible say about salvation through faith?
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
You are not saved by works, but after you are saved you will do works because you are a new creation. You will have new desires for Christ and God will begin working in your life to make you into the image of Christ.
Faith will not earn your salvation. If it did then faith would be works and God would owe you something. Faith is essential because only those individuals who put their trust in Christ will be saved.
Martin Luther stated the Scriptural position correctly when he said, "We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone."
Does true faith in Jesus lead to good works?
Paul makes similar statements in his writings. For example, he explains that good traits or "fruits" that true believers should have (Galatians 5:22-23). As a matter of fact Paul states that we are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), right after saying we are saved by faith alone. So Paul and James are in total agreement. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). James and Paul actually make the same claim, but use different methods. Paul emphasizes that salvation is only obtained by faith while James emphasizes that good works are the inevitable result of genuine faith. Instead he is saying that true faith in Jesus will result in good works in the life of the believer ( James 2:20-26 ).
How to Get To Heaven God's Way
Because people can never be good enough to get to heaven, God provided a way, through justification, for them to be credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)
Getting to heaven is not a matter of keeping the Commandments, because no one can. Neither is it a matter of being ethical, going to church, saying a certain number of prayers, making pilgrimages, or attaining levels of enlightenment. Those things may represent goodness by religious standards, but Jesus reveals what matters to him and his Father:
"In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” (John 3:3, NIV)
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, NIV)
Receiving salvation through Christ is a simple step-by-step process that has nothing to do with works or goodness. Eternal life in heaven comes through God's grace, a gift. It is gained through faith in Jesus, not performance.
The Bible is the final authority on heaven, and its truth is crystal clear:
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