The Way

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the father except through me."
John 14:6 NKJV

Do you think you're good enough to get into heaven?  Just how many communions, tithes or good works can guarantee that we will live our lives in Gods kingdom?  Surely, if we do all these things, God will honor us with eternity in his presence, right?  Sadly, many people have been deceived into believing that their multitood of good deeds would punch their tickets to heaven.  This isn't just a modern day issue either, some in Jesus' day also believed this also.  It's hard to believe that a lifetime of good works will not guarantee a place in Gods kingdom, but then, that would have made Jesus' death on the cross insignificant.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,' have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in your name?'  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

I wonder if you caught the point of Jesus' teaching here?  There will be many people who will do many good works in the name of Jesus, but they will not see Gods kingdom.  In fact, Jesus will deny even knowing them!  Now, this isn't to say that doing good works isn't a good thing, but it isn't own efforts that will guarantee we spend eternity with our loving father.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

Yes, our salvation is NOT based on the good works or deeds that we do here on earth.  It is simply a gift that we enjoy from a God who loves his children.  For if each one of was able to work or buy our way into heaven, what would the price be?  How much would you pay to spend eternity with your loving God?  I'm guessing that would be one expensive ticket!  Therefore, you'd likely have truly righteous people who could not afford their way into heaven.  On that note, you may have bad people who simply buy their way into heaven.  How would this scenario show Gods love for us?  In fact, would the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf even be needed if we could simply buy our way home?  Thankfully, God intervened where we couldn't.
Ephesians 2:8 assures us that God loved us enough to save us from ourselves.  Out of his love for us, God has provided a way for his children to spend eternity with him in his kingdom.  That way is through Christ Jesus, who shed his blood and became sin for us that we might live.  Trust me, one thing you don't want Jesus to proclaim in that day we see him is "I never knew you!"

~Scott~