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Will Our Good Works Get Us Into Heaven?

If you ask the average person on the street where they are going when they die, most will tell you "Heaven." If you then ask them “why," most will tell you "because they’re a good person and that their good works outweighs their bad, so they will get in." But what exactly does the Bible say about sin, good works and getting into Heaven? Via this page, we simply look at some Bible verses to see what the Bible states, and how one earns their way into heaven.

We Are All Sinners

The Bible clearly states that everyone is a sinner, and has fallen short of the glory of God. Our sin is what separates us from God, and if we say the we have no sin, we only deceive ourselves.

Rom 3:23

²³ For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

1 John 1:8

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Isaiah 59:2

² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

We are Saved by Faith, Not by Our Works

The Bible also tells us that we are saved through faith and not by our works. All the work to pay for our sins was completed by Christ, at the Cross, upon His death, burial and resurrection. We simply need to trust in Him to receive His free gift of eternal life.

Eph 2:8-9

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 4:5

⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Titus 3:5

⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Upon Our Belief, We Become a New Creation

Upon our acceptance of Christ, and in His finished work at the cross, our sins are forgiven. We also become a new creation in Him, are sealed with the Holy Spirit and are given everlasting life.

2 Cor 5:17

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Eph 1:13

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

John 5:24

²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

How Can I Be Saved?

The Bible tells us that if we believe that God raised his Son from the dead, then we will be saved, and the wrath of God will not abide on us.

Rom 10:9

⁹ If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 3:36

³⁶ He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Once Saved, Can I Lose My Salvation?

Jesus promised that he would never lose a person once they trusted in Him. He mentions that He will never cast us out, nor lose any who come to him.

John 6:37

³⁷ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

John 6:39

³⁹ This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose none, but should raise it up at the last day.

Summary

In summary, sin separates us from God. Even one sin is enough to keep us out of Heaven. As all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, our sins must be forgiven in order for us to enter Heaven. As we cannot "work" or "earn" our way into Heaven, we need a Savior who can redeem us, and to forgive us of our sins. This is why Christ came to the earth and is known as the Savior of the world. Via His death, burial and resurrection, and the shedding of His blood on the Cross, He paid for the sins of the world. When we place our faith in Him, and trust in His finished work at the Cross, our sins are forgiven, once and for all, and we are seen as a new creation in His image. Upon trusting in Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and given everlasting life. Christ also promises to never cast us out, or to lose any who come to Him.

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