A common thought is that all you need to do in order to go to heaven is be a “good” person. But, who defines what “good” is and how do we know if we are “good” enough? Everyone has a different idea on what “good” really means. The dictionary defines it as: virtuous, right, and commendable, which could still be somewhat subjective to some people (m-w.com). The general idea is that a person can “live for God” in their own way and go to heaven without being part of the church, without worshipping, and without full obedience to God’s Word. The problem is this has never worked in the past and it will not work today.
Paul thought he was doing “good” for God but was not - (Acts 26:9) I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul was exceedingly zealous in following the traditions of the Jews which seemed to be a really good thing (Gal. 1:14). However, when he learned that he was persecuting the Lord when he should have been following Him, he realized what he was doing was not good and he changed his life (Acts 9:1-18).
Cornelius was a good person, but he was still not saved - (Acts 10:22) And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Cornelius had to hear and obey the words of salvation in order to go to heaven (Acts 11:14). Even though he was clearly a good person in the sight of God, he still had to obey the Gospel to receive “repentance unto life” (Acts 10:48; 11:18).
Philemon was a Christian man who did many good things, but he still had to obey in other areas - (Phm 1:6) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Paul admonished Philemon to act on his goodness and receive his runaway slave and newfound Christian brother, Onesimus, back in good favor (Phm. 16-21). Forgiving as God forgives is required to be “good” for every child of God (Eph. 4:32).
God wants us to avoid evil and truly do good (1 Pet. 3:11) and wants us to go to heaven (1 Tim. 2:4). Going to heaven requires more than doing good. It requires fully submitting ourselves to God (James 4:7) and doing “every good work to do his will” (Heb. 13:21). God requires us to obey Him even when some things don’t seem to make sense to us. His thoughts are higher and He is greater than we are (Isa. 55:8,9). In the end, the lord will only save those who have been “good” and “faithful” (Mat. 25:23). Yes, we have to be good (useful and beneficial to the Lord), but also faithful (trustworthy and reliable) in following all of His commands (Rev. 22:14).
~Derrick Coble
Paul thought he was doing “good” for God but was not - (Acts 26:9) I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul was exceedingly zealous in following the traditions of the Jews which seemed to be a really good thing (Gal. 1:14). However, when he learned that he was persecuting the Lord when he should have been following Him, he realized what he was doing was not good and he changed his life (Acts 9:1-18).
Cornelius was a good person, but he was still not saved - (Acts 10:22) And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Cornelius had to hear and obey the words of salvation in order to go to heaven (Acts 11:14). Even though he was clearly a good person in the sight of God, he still had to obey the Gospel to receive “repentance unto life” (Acts 10:48; 11:18).
Philemon was a Christian man who did many good things, but he still had to obey in other areas - (Phm 1:6) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Paul admonished Philemon to act on his goodness and receive his runaway slave and newfound Christian brother, Onesimus, back in good favor (Phm. 16-21). Forgiving as God forgives is required to be “good” for every child of God (Eph. 4:32).
God wants us to avoid evil and truly do good (1 Pet. 3:11) and wants us to go to heaven (1 Tim. 2:4). Going to heaven requires more than doing good. It requires fully submitting ourselves to God (James 4:7) and doing “every good work to do his will” (Heb. 13:21). God requires us to obey Him even when some things don’t seem to make sense to us. His thoughts are higher and He is greater than we are (Isa. 55:8,9). In the end, the lord will only save those who have been “good” and “faithful” (Mat. 25:23). Yes, we have to be good (useful and beneficial to the Lord), but also faithful (trustworthy and reliable) in following all of His commands (Rev. 22:14).
~Derrick Coble