Misguided Deeds

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the father except through me."

John 14:6

Many people believe that if they are nice to everyone and do good deeds, then they will receive a free ticket into heaven. Some denominations that call themselves Christian even preach this misguided philosophy. Unfortunately, for the people who fall victim to this belief system, they will be in for a rude awakening when they reach the pearly gates of heaven.

Jesus himself says in John 14:6 that he is the only way that leads to eternal life with God. In Paul's letter to the Romans, he says: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and, it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10. And, of course, there is the passage that is the staple of Christianity, John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. That whoever believes in him shall not parish, but have eternal life." It is a beautiful passage, but the two verses after that are also important, but often not quoted. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe in him stands condemned all ready because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" John 3: 17-18. There is nothing in those passages about good deeds being the way to life eternal in heaven. There is only Jesus. He is the only way.

As for good deeds, if you are a true believer, the good deeds come naturally. Most people who are trying to get on God's good side by deeds without faith most of the time do not have their heart in it. They are doing it for the purpose of saving their own soul or they are good people and think that that is enough to get them into heaven. When Christ enters your heart, he transforms you. You will want to do good deeds and aid your fellow man in the name of Christ. The Holy Spirit living within you will give to the want and desire to do all that you can for the glory of God.

The only way to heaven and eternity with God is really very simple. Just confess to God that you are a sinner and are in need of forgiveness. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. The tricky part is that you must really believe it, just as it says in Romans 10:9-10. Saying or thinking the words without believing them is pointless. We are all sinners. No one on this planet can honestly say that they have never sinned. Jesus stands ready to forgive you and love you for who you are. All you have to do is accept Him.