Why does it seem good works are dismissed and only faith in the Christian god will get you to heaven?

Question

Why? If someone is a good person (nonChristian), why do people say they go to hell, when a man with a lifetime of wrongdoing, hate and violence could repent and on his deathbed and get in?

This is just what I gather from hearing people talk....Why isn't actions what you are judged by?

I don't belive in heaven or hell, but this belief seems incredibly unjust. Can someone explain?

Answer 1

You must be talking with only Christians.

God's laws are universal and apply regardless of your belief system. In fact, God cares about only two groupings - the individual and the totality of all human beings - man and mankind. All other groupings whether based on belief, race, geographic location, social status, whatever - are man-made, temporary and insignificant. There is no such thing as a "chosen" people - we are all chosen, individually.

Choices you make in your life that radiate the Love of the Creator bring you closer to God, fear based and hate based choices remove you further from God. This is a universal and immutable law.

Answer 2

no one is good enough to go to heaven. ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. How good do you have to be? IF we look at someone else, we can always find someone that is not "as good" as we are, but when we look at God, and realize His holiness, we do all fall short. I was what people called "the good girl" when I was growing up. I did everything "by the book"- however it was the book that the world wrote- not what God says. God is just, however He is also merciful, I know someone just asked how he could be both, well He is. Justice meets mercy at the Cross. Mercy is getting something that we do not deserve, and justice is getting what we do. So , no matter if you believe in heaven or hell or not, when you find out God is real, because you will one day, would you rather experience the justice and wrath of God or His infinite grace and mercy? Your choice!

Answer 3

The only path to salvation is through Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross as atonement for sin. Actions will be judged for those that do not accept him at the Great White Throne Judgement at the end of the Millenium Reign as outline in the book of Revelation. However, accepting Jesus into your heart pays the price for your sins, since it is a full pardon from the King of Kings for everything you have ever done.

Answer 4

You have no conception of your sin and corruption in God's eyes.

Even the best of us in man's eyes is an abomination of sin and corruption in God's eyes.

None of us, not even one is acceptable to God. We are all far, far short of God's glory.

Surely you would expect that? Or do you bring the glorious perfection of an infinite God down to the corrupt, grossly limited and wretched level of man?

We need the perfect righteousness that is only acceptable to the perfection of God and this He has provided for us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

If I may illustrate with a poor weak example.

If I tried to jump across the Grand Canyon I might cover 10-12 feet before falling, you might cover 14-16 feet but also fall and the best may jump as far as 25 feet and also fall. We are all ridiculously short and so equally fail, even though some are better.

We all need to be carried over and the little old granny with arthritis, who is carried, succeeds where we all failed, despite our being much fitter.

Do you get the point that I'm trying to make?

Are you going to be bitter or churlish against the little old granny with arthritis? Or would you rather be carried too?

Let me know.

I know what I choose.

Answer 5

Good works is not completely dismissed, as many preachers seem to suggest. The bible talks about faith without good works being of no importance. A spiritual man is also expected to have fruits to show along with his faith.

That being said, salvation comes through Jesus, through his grace, not through any good work. The aspect that comes along with good works is self righteousness. This is completely rejected in Christianity. Grace is not a product of good work, it can also be extended to non believers.

Answer 6

Most religions profess a belief in them as the only way to escape hell. Christianity does not. Christianity is the only way to eternal life. But for the good among non-believers or those with other gods, life will continue from generation to generation, as it does now. (Joel 3:20). (Micah 4:5)

Answer 7

Because the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

I have no idea what that means...but you can be sure that if there is a Heaven you will enter it by the Grace of God, and not by praising any certain name while on your death bed.

Answer 8

its what the bible says my sister....and it is a good thing that salvation is NOT based on being good..lest any man boast of himself. Can you see that if it was about works (being good) then basically only the rich would get in because they could 'pay more', or do more... The fact that going to heaven is based on accepting Christ alone is to say that all men are equal (sounds just), all can have everlasting life (sounds just) and no man is above another in Christ (sounds just).

Answer 9

God is sovereign and all powerful, and nobody can force God to save them, by any means (works).

Salvation remains a free gift of God that is offered to all.

You take it or you leave it.

Or you can always play the long shot, and hope for a miracle.

Answer 10

I guess if you look at it like no one is a 'good person'
Good by our standards maybe, but not good by God's standards.
So if you don't receive God's gift of Salvation, and don't seek to have a relationship with him, then that's all she wrote I guess. These are one of those 'hot topics'
I have hope that God wouldn't create a hell for humans.