“Well, I believe God will let me into heaven because I try to live right and do my best. Don’t you think that’s good enough?”

Unfortunately, God does not think that is “good enough.” There is a definite place for holiness, or “living right”, in Christianity, but it is as a RESULT of salvation rather than the CAUSE. Scripture reveals that God has chosen to save sinners by His own grace, and He made His plans to do this even before He created the universe.

The apostle Paul wrote, “[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” (II Timothy 1:9 NIV)

God gives us grace to be forgiven, or “saved”, and then He gives grace to live a holy life. The Bible is very clear that we are not accepted by God on the basis of what we do, but rather on the basis of what the Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son) has already done for us. AFTER being saved by God’s grace through faith, our Father will assign us things He wants us to do (see Ephesians 2:8-10).

This was the plan of love agreed to by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (one God, three Persons) before the beginning of time.

It is a very good policy always to try to “live right and do your best”, but that will NOT earn you a place in heaven. Only through Jesus Christ, and by putting your trust in Him alone as your only hope of salvation, will you ever get to heaven. NOTHING ELSE is “good enough” for God.

We encourage you to contact us; if possible, come by for a visit. We want to meet you and talk with you. But don’t wait. PUT YOUR TRUST IN JESUS.