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Can a person go to heaven by being good? Absolutely not! According to the Word of God that would be a total impossibility, for man has an inherent problem that keeps him from heaven - his sin.

In Romans 5:12 we are told that "by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Then again in Romans chapter three verse twenty-three it says, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." God is perfect and cannot tolerate sin in his presence, so one's sin keeps him out of heaven.

Many people are hoping that when they reach heaven God will simply feel sorry for them and will allow them into heaven instead of sending them to hell for all eternity. Matthew chapter seven verses 21 through 23 say, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." God is very clear that not even those who have worked in their own way to serve Him will be allowed into heaven.

Others believe they can solve their sin problem and, therefore, reach heaven by being good or by being "neighborly". They have a list of actions they think will make the scales balance out in their favor and allow them to enter heaven. If they are baptized into a certain religion and attempt to follow all the dogma of that church, give money to their favorite charity or help people in need, then surely they will make it.

Again Gods Word says a clear and resounding "NO". In Ephesians chapter two verses 8 and 9, God tells us, "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." This verse makes it clear that if anyone goes to heaven it will not be by any good works that they do. No one will be able to boast in heaven.

If a person cannot get to heaven by being good, by doing good works or by being "neighborly", then how can anyone possibly make it into heaven when they pass from this world? Ephesians tells us "by grace are ye saved through faith. . .it is the gift of God. . . ." In Romans 6:23a it also says, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." What is this gift and how can one obtain it?

John chapter three verse 16 tells us that "God so loved the world (you can replace world with your own name) that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever (put your name in the place of whosoever) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." One discovers that God has given to all mankind a gift, and that gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ his Son.

How does one become the recipient of that gift? - By simply accepting it and saying a simple thank you. In the book of First John chapter 5 verse 12, God makes it very easy for everyone to understand. He says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

All verses taken from the KJV Bible

Learn more about this author, Connie Earl Robertson.
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