WHY YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO HEAVEN BY BEING GOOD OR DOING GOOD
Let’s get one thing straight at the beginning. Good works are a good thing. And seeking to obey the Ten Commandments or any other part of the Word of God is a good thing. Everything we say in the rest of this article is not meant to demean being good or doing good.

However, there is a big difference between doing good as the way to earn eternal life and doing good as the way to show my thanks for having received God’s gift of life.

Most people have been convinced (often by religious leaders) that the way to heaven is by doing good works, or being especially religious, by living according to the Ten Commandments or by keeping the Golden Rule. I’m sure you have heard that. Maybe you believe it. But did you know that the Bible says nothing of the kind. In fact, it says just the opposite! Listen to this:

“For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8:9).

Again we read in the Bible, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5).

Here’s another: “But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

Let’s look at three basic problems with the idea that our goodness can save us.