Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
I was in a vehicle with a driver I've known for sometime. We were discussing several issues relating to salvation then he asked, "what about good and nice unbelievers, won't they make it heaven"? I responded by telling him that heaven is reserved for only those that are saved and washed by the blood of the lamb because that is what the bible says. He was mute for sometime after I gave that answer. I perceived that was a very hard truth for him to accept because he knew nice unbelievers with good character. Unfortunately, being nice is not enough.
Jesus said. "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John14:6. I've studied several religion and religious leaders, none ever claimed to be the way to heaven. Christ is the only way to God. There's no other way that I know. A man may be full of good works with nice reputation before men. As long as he doesn't have Christ in his life as his Lord and personal saviour, he has no standing with God. Religion teaches men to be full of good works and to ensure that good work outweighs evil to achieve salvation. While that sounds like what agrees with common sense, it doesn't agree with "God sense". "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts', Isaiah55:8.
Every man inherited sin from Adam: "When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned", Romans5:12. Because of this sin that we all inherited, Paul says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Rom3:23. What is the remedy for sin and eternal death? Is it good works? This is what the bible says, "For the wages of sin is death, BUT THE FREE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD", Romans6:23. That free gift is salvation. It is not what human effort through good works can achieve: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God", Eph 2:8. It is after accepting Christ into your life that your good works will make sense to God. If you're yet to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour, say the words of the prayer below:
"Father, I know I'm a sinner. Forgive me of my sins, write my name in the book of life. I accept Jesus as my Lord and personal saviour. I believe he died and resurrected for my sake. Thank you for saving me eternally, in Jesus name. Amen".
Compliment of the season!