Today my amazing husband gave an enlightening devotion on the subject of why getting into heaven doesn't depend on a person's ability to be "good". How many times have you heard individuals say, "If anyone is going to heaven it will be ______ because he/she is good." Gary brought up a few points that I want to share on my blog today in case this has happened to you as a Christian when you are trying to witness to someone who is convinced all they need to be is....good.
First, if being good were a requirement for admission into heaven, would there be a definition of the word somewhere for all to see, read and be able to obey? After all, we have the Ten Commandments written, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States written for individuals to read and understand. Doesn't it make sense that the God of the Universe would place the instructions for living a good life and being a good person somewhere for us all to read; a unified description so that we wouldn't have to guess as to what being good entails?
Secondly, our human concept of good changes as we age. Look at the history books. The laws that seemed to be good in days gone by have been altered and improved....just look at the issue of race and how we have changed our thought processes concerning where we are allowed to sit on a bus or eat in a public restaurant.
Third, even if you knew a good definition for good, what would be the passing grade? Could you be 20% good? Maybe you could pass at 50%? Would it require 100% of being good all the time and how in the world would that be possible?
Bottom line....being good isn't what is required to enter heaven. Remember the thief hanging on the cross beside Jesus? Think he was a good person? Did he have a chance to do good deeds? When the thief asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into glory, Jesus quoted that "TODAY" you will be with me in paradise. No past percentages, no deeds, no actions of a good Samaritan.....only the change of heart that Jesus was the Son of God and the thief's recognition that he was a sinner and needed a Savior.
We make it hard and it's easy.....we are lost, Jesus saves, we need only ask and He enters and the eternal gates of heaven will swing open wide. God bless, my friends!
First, if being good were a requirement for admission into heaven, would there be a definition of the word somewhere for all to see, read and be able to obey? After all, we have the Ten Commandments written, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States written for individuals to read and understand. Doesn't it make sense that the God of the Universe would place the instructions for living a good life and being a good person somewhere for us all to read; a unified description so that we wouldn't have to guess as to what being good entails?
Secondly, our human concept of good changes as we age. Look at the history books. The laws that seemed to be good in days gone by have been altered and improved....just look at the issue of race and how we have changed our thought processes concerning where we are allowed to sit on a bus or eat in a public restaurant.
Third, even if you knew a good definition for good, what would be the passing grade? Could you be 20% good? Maybe you could pass at 50%? Would it require 100% of being good all the time and how in the world would that be possible?
Bottom line....being good isn't what is required to enter heaven. Remember the thief hanging on the cross beside Jesus? Think he was a good person? Did he have a chance to do good deeds? When the thief asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into glory, Jesus quoted that "TODAY" you will be with me in paradise. No past percentages, no deeds, no actions of a good Samaritan.....only the change of heart that Jesus was the Son of God and the thief's recognition that he was a sinner and needed a Savior.
We make it hard and it's easy.....we are lost, Jesus saves, we need only ask and He enters and the eternal gates of heaven will swing open wide. God bless, my friends!
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