I heard a conversation on the television the other night that I found concerning. Although faith was mentioned briefly, the biggest part of the conversation seemed to be focused on being good.
Do you believe that if you are good that you will go to heaven?
Being good will not get you into heaven. You can be good all your life, but that will not save you. At some point in your life you sinned.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23
Being good is what you should do out of a love for God. Good works should be evidence of your faith.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20
Again, works do not save you. If being good could save you Jesus would not have needed to die on a cross for you. Works are a result of faith. Remember, the thief on the cross did not have a chance to have any works.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
The Holy Spirit bears testimony with our spirit when we are saved.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:16-17
We know that Jesus is able to keep us. Our salvation is safe with Him.
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12
By the way, contrary to some opinions, there is also a hell, and the lake of fire.
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10-15
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to pray about what you have just heard. Ask God to show you if you have faith that Jesus died for your sins or if you are basing your salvation on something you’ve done.