How can deeds be important enough to keep me out of heaven when deeds aren't important enough to get me in?

Question

Paul says it is by faith, and not deeds, that I get into heaven.

Obviously, deeds aren't very important.

All my sins are forgiven on Judgement Day because I've got a guest pass to heaven from Jesus himself because I have faith.

And it says in the bible that faith that Jesus is the son of god who died on the cross for me and rose from the dead is all it takes to get into heaven.

So I'm weak. So I get tempted. So I give in. So what? I'm human. We're all weak. We all give in to temptation. We all sin. You telling me that makes any difference to God if we believe in Him?

Not according to Paul.

So why should any christian care about trying to impress God by being like Jesus when none of us come close and never will?

Sure, fight temptation. But if you give in, so what? God will take you anyway.

After all, Christians with faith do not get judged on their deeds.

So why worry about it?

Answer 1

While all you have said is 100 percent truth, there is one thing that you have not mentioned.

What is your heart status with God? Are you using your faith as a Get out of jail free card? God knows your heart and so do you. It is the one thing that I cannot judge, that is between you and God.

If you are using your faith as a get out of jail free card, then you have not fully accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Once you have done this in your heart, you will WANT to follow Jesus Christs example and works means obeying his will and way for your life, not always a physical work.

Once sin becomes sickining to do or think about, you and you alone will know that you are on the right pathway with God, the narrow way. You will still sin, but you will be crushed that you have yet again failed, and you will set your eyes on not failing again, not looking forward to the next temptation and chance to give in yet again.

There is a huge heart and mind set difference here, that I hope that you will be able to understand.

The Apostle Paul wrote in the book of Romans, Chapter 7

That which I want to do, I do not do. That which I want to do, I do not do. Oh, wretched man I am.

What is it that you want? God knows and so do you.
Godspeed

Answer 2

From what I'm reading of your question, it seems your question basically is, if one is a Christian, why should one worry about good deeds if he is going to sin eventually.

I'll give you some philosophical thoughts then some biblical verses.

Your argument is horribly flawed at its core. It's like a husband saying "why should I fight the temptation to have a affair with my wife? If I have an affair, then she'll just forgive me, so I should sleep away with anyone I can."

Why exercise if you are going to die one day? Why look for love because it may end one day? These are a few, but I think you get the point.

Your next to last line isn't completely accurate. While the Bible teaches that salvation isn't by works, Romans 14:12 states "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. " While we don't lose salvation based on poor deeds, we aren't given a completely free pass, as we will have to account for our actions.

Also, Jesus mentions many times having treasure in heaven. In matthew 6:20, he talks about storing up treasure in heaven for example. How do we do this? Mark 10: 21, Luke 12:33, Luke 18:22, and on and on state that this treasure seems to be associated with good deeds!

Read 1 John 3, it addresses the idea of people who profess being christian, yet continue to live as if nothing has changed.

I could go on, and if you want more, just ask.

Answer 3

You are right. You cannot go to heaven by works alone. You have to have faith and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Yes we are sinners, but when we accept Christ, we are to try to no succomb to the ways of the world. God knows your heart, so you can say what you want as far as accepting the Lord but God knows your true heart. So if you sin, repent. Truly repent!! God will forgive.

But everyone who comes before God will be judged. I have been told by those who are studied that when you come before him, you are not like every other person before Him. Each person is judged as an individual. So what you do when you are a Christian does matter.

Answer 4

The judgment of believers by Christ is a judgment of our works, not our sins. In 1 Corinthians 3:13-14, Paul says of each believer, "His work will be shown for what it is," and God's judgment fire "will test the quality of each man's work."

Our sins are totally forgiven when we come to Christ, and we stand justified in him. There's no condemnation for the Christian (Romans 8:1). Nevertheless, our laying up of precious stones on the foundation of Christ can apparently be replaced or prevented by sins we've committed as well as by righteous acts we have failed to do. Therefore a believer's sins contribute directly to his "suffering loss" (1 Corinthians 3:15).

Through this loss of reward the believer is considered to be receiving his "due" for his bad works (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is not a punishment for sins, but the withholding of rewards for works not done that should have been.

Let's be sure this is perfectly clear: Salvation and rewards are different.

Salvation is about God's work for us. It's a free gift, to which we can contribute absolutely nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

Rewards are about our work for God.

Salvation is dependent on God's faithfulness to his promises, and on his mercy.

Rewards are conditional, dependent on our faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26-28; 3:21).

Belief determines our eternal destination...where we'll be.

Behavior determines our eternal rewards...what we'll have.

Works do not affect our redemption. Works do affect our reward. Just as there are eternal consequences to our faith, so there are eternal consequences to our works.

Answer 5

If we're truly saved, however, then we want our relationship with God to grow as much as possible. A lackadaisical attitude toward our own sins, however, shows that that we aren't really all that serious about that relationship. Sure, there are times when we will do so, but there's got to be some point at which we have to decide which is more important to us: sinning with total disregard to its effect with our relationship or the relationship. So while we might not be judged for the deeds themselves, I do think we are judged by whether we are truly repentant (and we demonstrate this by a change in behavior towards sin).

Answer 6

Paul asks, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Paul clarifies, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, …For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Good works are the result of salvation; not a cause of salvation. Regeneration precedes good works.

Though we are not saved by our good deeds, nevertheless, our good works are the evidence that we are saved and Holy Spirit, indwelling in us, enables us to obey God.

Jesus said, if you love me you will keep my commandments.

Answer 7

If you are a true Christian, you do good deeds out of the love for God, not to get to Heaven. Matt. 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." God bless.

Answer 8

OK, sounds like a sermon not a question. but we are saved by the grace of god, we all have fallen short, we must press for the mark, those that keep the commandments of god and the testimony of Jesus the Christ will be invited to spend eternal life in heaven

Answer 9

True faith without works is dead. But what are the works that is John is talking about?
Jesus said " If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love. John15:10.
But what are the commandments of Christ?
His first is to love one another just as Christ loved us. John13:34
The second is to go out and tell others of what God has done for you and tell them about the love of Christ. He also said to heal the sick and raise the dead.

Answer 10

If you read Paul further he says that we should still uphold the law, this is why the Catholic Church teaches faith and works, you only have works, it takes two to tango.

Also James says "faith with works is dead" the contrary is true as well.