What does it take to get into heaven? Do works have anything at all to do with it?
the correct answers to this question might clear up some stuff for some misguided folks on this site.
2006-10-04 11:22:54 · 18 answers · asked by wisdom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible teaches us that our good works are as "filthy rags". So, no, good works aren't going to get us there. The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace that you are saved through faith, it is a gift of God, not by works so that no man can boast." There is only one good work that will get you to Heaven, and that is accepting the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins and mine.
2006-10-04 11:27:04 · answer #1 · answered by Youth Pastor 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
John 3:16
2006-10-04 11:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For we are saved by grace, AFTER ALL WE CAN DO. We do everything we can do and then if we have do9ne everything within our power to earn exaltation then the mercy of Christ bridges the gap and we gain eternal life. Lip confession alone is not sufficient for salvation. The born again movement is wrong in this belief. No where in the Bible does it teach that faith alone is sufficient for an individual to gain exaltation in the Kingdom of God. Bible doctrine states we must do every good thing we can to help others and then the atonement of Christ makes up the difference.
2006-10-04 12:49:32 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Curious 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No good works will not get you into heaven.
On the other hand faith without love won't either.
(1 Cor 13:1-4)
Faith without actions won't get you there either.
James 2:26
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
What part of must don't you understand??
2006-10-04 11:42:44 · answer #4 · answered by TeeM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing we can do can earn our way to heaven. Heaven or eternity is a gift from God. All we have to do is believe. But when you believe, something happens. You start to want to get closer to Him. You begin to change and try to do things differently. You can be the greatest person, giving to charity, kind and loving. But if you don't believe in God, that His son died on a cross for your sins, and you haven't believed, then when the time comes for judgment, you may be saddened to know that you doomed for hell. Christ doesn't want any to go to hell. God didn't make hell for man. Hell was made for the Devil and his fallen angels. You can't buy your way to heaven, you can't pray that the dead will go to heaven. You can't be "good" enough to get to heaven. Heaven is a gift. Easy to receive--just believe and accept Him as your Savior.
2006-10-04 11:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by sunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salvation by HIS GRACE!
Saint Peter at the Golden Gate ~
A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" "Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its
ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point." "One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "TWO POINTS!" the man cries, "At this rate, the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!" "That's right! Now you've got it!" said St. Peter.
For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) HIS Grace!
The above story is theologically "a disaster" but it does drive home the point - IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO ANYTHING TO "HELP" SAVE OURSELVES!
Source(s):
http://www.toughlove.faithweb.com/once_s...
2006-10-04 11:29:53 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It says Faith without works is dead. Faith in Jesus IS the essential thing but, it is this faith that inspires works. If you are getting at some sort of point against the Catholic Church be careful of what you say the Church teaches. There are so many lies on this site I can't believe it.
2006-10-04 11:36:56 · answer #7 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No good works are not a basis for getting you to Heaven.
2006-10-04 11:43:07 · answer #8 · answered by caroline j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good works won't take you to heaven. We ourselves are powerless when it comes to that. It's Jesus Christ who can lead us there. If our good works could get us into heaven then his death on the cross would have been pointless. That's what I believe anyways. = )
2006-10-04 11:33:39 · answer #9 · answered by CuriosityKilledtheCat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith in Action is Love.
Jesus Christ taught Faith in Action by climbing off the shore of the Jordan river to show us how to find salvation.
Jesus Christ never wrote one word down in the how to manual. Yet, taught through works.
Jesus Christ never commanded that the Apostle write letters or the Bible on paper, but to write His actions on the hearts of humanity.
2006-10-04 11:31:33 · answer #10 · answered by Lives7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋