So many people think that it is by good works that we get to Heaven. If we get good recognition or good grades, or people notice us doing something or a lot of things for other people, then that may make us good enough to get to Heaven. If we do good for others in front of people and make people watch us doing the good deeds, not only will others see how we are with people around us, but God also sees us and many people think that doing good deeds impress God enough for Him to say that anyone is worthy enough to deserve a place in Heaven with Him.
However, that concept of how we get to Heaven is completely wrong. The last thing we all deserve is eternal glory and splendor with God and Jesus in Heaven. Truthfully, the only thing we deserve is eternal punishment in Hell for all the sins we’ve committed and the sins that we will commit before our lives are through. No good deed is ever good enough to get us to Heaven. No matter how hard we try, we will never be good enough for God. Fortunately, God knew that ahead of time and sent His son to take our place. The way we get to Heaven is through Jesus and through the Father. It says in the Bible that no one comes to the father except through Jesus Christ.
John 14: 5-14 says, 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Another verse that points out how we will be saved and how we are saved is: Ephesians 2: 8-9 which says, “for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. Not by works so that no one can boast. God doesn’t want us to boast in our knowing Him in the way others in this world boast, such as saying “I know God therefore I’m going to heaven, guaranteed.” That is a wrong concept as well. You don’t just say “I know God”, or “I know of Him, therefore I get a golden ticket to Heaven.” Rather, it is the relationship you have with God and how you build the relationship with God in your life that means the most.
Another verse that tells us how we can get to Heaven, as well as a verse that issues a warning is Mathew 5: 19-20. It says, 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
John 14: 5-14 says, 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
Another verse that points out how we will be saved and how we are saved is: Ephesians 2: 8-9 which says, “for it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. Not by works so that no one can boast. God doesn’t want us to boast in our knowing Him in the way others in this world boast, such as saying “I know God therefore I’m going to heaven, guaranteed.” That is a wrong concept as well. You don’t just say “I know God”, or “I know of Him, therefore I get a golden ticket to Heaven.” Rather, it is the relationship you have with God and how you build the relationship with God in your life that means the most.
Another verse that tells us how we can get to Heaven, as well as a verse that issues a warning is Mathew 5: 19-20. It says, 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
No one can ever inherit the kingdom of God on their own. We have to be willing to sacrifice our lives to serve God and God alone. It is an awesome feeling to know that all we have to do is call on Him. It is by grace that we have been saved, not by the works we do, or the recognition we could receive while doing those works. We know full well the way to the Father is through unshaken faith in Jesus.
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