Earning Salvation

A conversation came up recently as to whether or not somebody can earn their way into heaven with good deeds. The specific example given was Gandhi. This post is not to decide where Gandhi is right now. Only God knows and decides. But we can use scripture to help us understand what determines where God sends us when we die. So the main question is this: Does God turn good people away from heaven for rejecting His gift to us?

One thing we know as a fact is that every man is a sinner. It doesn't take much. If we steal one thing in our life, that makes us a thief. If we so much as lust after another person, we're an adulterer. We're born into a fallen world, and eventually break our relationship with God by sinning. The bible teaches us that the only thing that saves us from our sins is our faith, not our works. Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Remember the thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. The thief didn't get a chance to redeem his sinful life with good deeds. Instead, he put his faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus's response was, "today you will be with me in paradise".

What does God use to measure our good deeds? What do our works look like to Him? God is perfect. That can be the only comparison. How good of a deed can we do on Earth to achieve God's perfect standard? We measure our works according to what we know in our feeble human minds. One man's good deeds may seem perfect to another, because we are limited in our knowledge of goodness and perfection. To God, "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). While we think we are doing good on earth by our human standards, they are unrighteous in the face of God.

If we can earn our way into heaven through good works, how many good works does it take to redeem ourselves? (thanks PA). If you sin 10 times, does it take 10 good works? Or does it have to be of a certain magnitude? Say, bringing Independence to several countries?

Sometimes it can be difficult to think that a good person could be sent to Hell. We know that God is loving, and some might say that a loving God wouldn't turn away a good person, regardless of their beliefs. But when we say that we're creating our own God. It's much easier to create a God of convenience, the perfect God that we would like to believe in. A God that doesn't judge us, and only sends the most evil people to Hell. The serial killers, rapists, and child molesters. But if we believe in the God of the Bible, this is not the case. God is loving, but he is also jealous. He is vengeful. He does hate. He hates pride and arrogance. He hates evil-doers. If this is not the God you know, ask yourself a question. How are you creating your image of God? If not the bible, then from where?

“And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.” (Leviticus 26:27-30)

If we believe that Jesus is God, we must obey Him. What did Jesus tell us?

"When the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:8-11)

Put yourself in the position of a parent. You gave your child life, clothing, a home, and unending love. But your child turns their back on you, simply because they are too proud to be dependant on somebody other than him or herself. Maybe they grew to hate you because you gave them rules and they rebelled. Your child never thanked you, but instead went out to make their own life, and never spoke to you again. You tried to call them, to write, but they ignored you. Eventually, they go out to become the greatest charity worker of all time. They've dedicated their whole life to helping others. One day they become homeless, and nobody will take them in. Then they show up at your home. They tell you, "I've come to live with you. I know I hurt you, and rejected you. But look at how much I've helped everybody. I've made so many people's lives better. You're obligated to take me in now, I've earned it". What would a just response be? "I raised you with loving kindness to adulthood. You turned your back on me. I tried to reach you but you didn't respond. You chose your path and you excluded me from it. Yet you did favors for other people. And because of this you tell me I owe you my home."

Does the child deserve a place in their father's home now?

Focusing on the Good

Since Roland requested a new post. . .

Do you ever find it difficult to focus on and give thanks for all that is good around you?

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

I confess that lately this has been my goal. But sometimes it can be more difficult than others.