Good deeds get you into heaven?

Question

I have a friend who says that no matter how much good you do in your life, that if you don't accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you won't get into heaven. Basically she is saying that despite all the good that Mother Theresa has done, that if she didn't accept Jesus and the Lord and Savior, she would be going to hell despite all the good deeds that she did etc. What do you think? I think it's a bunch of B.S.

I realize it was harsh of me to use the term B.S. in relation to the question I posted. I apologize if I offended anyone. I do believe in God and I believe in Jesus and the things he stood for. I just don't feel I have to accept him as Lord and Savior to make it to heaven. BB

Answer 1

People tell you what they know. Her religions teaches her that and she accepts it - that's cool, but it is also not true. There are just as many people on the planet who think their different way is the only way.

Here's what I think - I think they are all right. I think that they are all saying the same thing - be a good person and you will be reunited with your maker in the end. I think we are all spiritual beings in this physical existence so that we can learn a lesson that can only be learned here on earth at this time in history and when we are done (if we can keep ourselves free of doubt and resentment and our own inner hell) we will be spiritual beings with our maker once again - no matter what religion we are.

Religion is a tool, created by humans, to explain to some degree, the Unknowable. To comfort us and help us when times are tough. To help guide us on the journey home when the trip is over.

Peace!

Answer 2

Are we talking Christian theology or what you think is BS? According to Christian theology Christ is the Messiah, the Lord, the Chosen One, the Redeemer, the Neo (You know that the Matrix is a Christian allegory; right?) the Son of God. God ( You know, the Big Cheese, the Wizard behind the curtains, the Creator, the Life Force (the Force is with you Luke). Actually the Life Force is the Holy Spirit; but let's not confuse you with the mystery of the Trinity (you know like Neo's girlfriend in the Matrix.) Here The Trinity refers to the Three persons of the Godhood in one being:God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Anyway, the answer to your question is that Faith alone (contrary to Martin Luther (not talking about the dead black dude here) and some Protestant theology will not save you; there must be the fruit of that faith: or good Works. (James in the Bible) But yes, if you are not among the elect; (Revelations) well, the pooch is pretty much screwed.

You're case is simple. You have received the good news and rejected it. But what of those little brown guys running around the Amazon? What if a person lives and dies and never hears the Good News. Hmmmm! What does God do? No one knows!

So walk your own path. Don't repent. (Repent is Latin for walk another way!) And remember to tell God what you think of all this "bullshit" when you meet Him.

Answer 3

you could under no circumstances do adequate good deeds to enter heaven - Jesus paid all of it - being proper. Why do good deeds? Many causes - good and undesirable - God is conscious our causes - He seems on the middle. As for the example you gave? I doubt if absolutely everyone may attempt this to "get to heaven." it truly is an computerized reaction, in some, to ignore about self even as a baby is in probability. God says that better love has no guy than to furnish his existence for his brother.

Answer 4

The Bible says that good deeds cannot get us into the kingdom of heaven so that we cannot brag about "earning" our way in, but by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We all have a choice, accept him or reject him, God has given us free will to choose. He loves us all regardless of our choice, but it's that simple. Once we decide to live for God, he will help us make better choices. Christianity doesn't make us perfect in any way, nor does it magically make our lives without problems, but accepting God means we have the power of God living inside of us- which is AWESOME in itself.

Answer 5

Check John 3:16; I thinks thats the one. It does seem terrible that people who do good deeds may not enter the kingdom of heaven for not accepting christ but it's just the way it is. Also, you can't just believe that he is the son of god, because even demons believe that, but you have to accept him as the savior and that he died on the cross for our sins to be saved.

Answer 6

Ummm....I think that Mother Theresa is a seriously bad example of people who may not have "accepted Jesus", first off because her life was dedicated to works in Christ, and I'm not Roman Catholic. I just seriously believe she UNDERSTOOD (far better than most) what it meant to have accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

But I take it from your friends words that she is a "Born again Christian". I have no real problems with them, except for the theory that salvation is instantaneous and merits no actions or works passed saying ,"I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior" is just plain off. I don't know if she or others realize it but, even the Roman Catholic creed says that in a more defined and closer to theologically correct terminology.

The bible tells us in essence, show me your faith WITHOUT works. So, yeah, I agree with you, furthermore, faith without works is dead.

Nevertheless, a belief in Christ as ones Lord and Savior is the foundation of the Christian faith, I think that is something some Born Again Christians don't realize about other Christians. I think sometimes they believe that just because we do not believe, agree or adhere to their belief in instant salvation, but on the contrary believe that our salvation must be "worked out" with both faith and deeds, that for some odd reason we do not or have not "accepted" Him as our Savior....Strange really.

Not for nothing, but I could take it a step further and ask, did your friend get baptized? Because I believe that those who "accept" Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior would do as He said and get baptised (i.e. fulfill a requested deed) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Ok...I'll get off my soap box now. ;)

Answer 7

People say a lot of things. Many people think that if there is a God, then He aught to abide by their idea of what is fair or not, or they refuse to believe in Him. But if there is a God, he probably will use His own standards, whether we agree with them or not. As for who goes to heaven or hell, we don't have anything to say about that, and are not qualified to answer that question. More importantly, the thought of heaven or hell has little impact on people's decisions to become a Christian or not. As it is written "It is God's kindness that brings us to repentance". But to your question...there is compelling evidence that we will be judged by our "deeds" (Not works of the Law). I am not a Catholic, but I think Mother Theresa is the best possible example of how a Christian should operate. But you shouldn't allow what people say determine your response to God. When it comes down to it...there's just you and Him.

Answer 8

I think that you need to listen to your friend.

It's not doing "good" that gets you into heaven. God lined out what good is in the Bible, no one except Jesus did it perfectly. So one little flaw off the mark is enough to condemn us.

That's why Jesus did what he did. He died so that we can trust Him into heaven. What to trust Him with? All the promises of God. He promised that if we believe that His Son rose from the dead, we would be saved.

Your friend is right. It's all in the Bible. Have your friend show you where.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Answer 9

Okay, so you all believe in Jesus as your savior and have a place in heaven. Does that mean you don't have to do anything about suffering in this life? Are any of you doing anything about the first genocide of the 21st century in Darfur?

You've got your place in heaven, now get off your tush and make a contribution to save God's children in Darfur. Are we proud of what we did to save Hitler's victims? We have a 2nd chance to get it right this time!

Shalom

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing." Edmund Burke

Answer 10

Just doing good deeds won't get you into heaven. The bible tells us that we do infact have to accept Jesus into our hearts, and live a holy life. The good part about that is, if we do mess up occasionaly... which we do... we are only human, we can ask God for forgivness