Am I good enough to get to Heaven?
I've asked hundreds of people this question, "If, after you die, you were to stand before God and he asked you, 'Why should I let you into Heaven?' what would you say?" The most common reponse has been, "Because I try to be a good person." There are two problems with this statement.
1. The way is narrow
Matthew 7:13-14
(13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
These two verses make it very clear that the majority of humanity will end up in Hell and only a few will go to Heaven, yet almost everyone considers themselves to be "a good person." How can this be?
2. Our definition of good is not the same as God's
In Matthew 19:17 and Mark 10:18 Jesus makes it clear that there is only one who is good, God. He is the standard for good, and anything short of Him is bad. Romans 3:23 states that all have come short of the glory of God. The rest of that same chapter declares that none is righteous. In fact, the very best we can do without God is the equivalent of garbage.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
This verse explains the shocking truth that in our natural state (without being "saved" or "born again"), it is impossible for anything we do to be considered good. Even giving money or going to church falls into the category of "filthy rags" before we are saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9
(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Our salvation comes only through God's grace, not our merit. The only way God can see righteousness when he looks at us is if by faith we have accepted Jesus' payment for our sins. He died and rose again to replace our sinful wretchedness with his own goodness. The free gift of salvation is available to all, but ignored by most.
Romans 10:9-10
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Salvation is not a gradual process, it is an event. All you have to do is to ask God to save you. One minute you are headed for Hell, the next you are headed for Heaven. It is a total reversal.
2 Corinthians 5:17
(17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In my opinion, the hardest part of getting saved is humility. To ask God to save you is to admit that you need saving. If you stubbornly insist that you are good enough to earn your way to Heaven, you won't ever get there. It is only when you can admit that you are not good that you will have any chance of redemption. If you can admit to your sinfulness and you believe that Jesus paid for your sins, why not ask for forgiveness right now? You could pray the following prayer or something like it:
God, I know I am a sinner and I know I can't save myself. Please forgive me for my sins and give me eternal life in Heaven with you.
If you prayed this prayer sincerely, then according to the Bible you are saved. If you did so, we would like to rejoice with you. Please let us know about any decisions you have made or any questions you may have. You can email Christopher Replogle at christopher@replogleministries.com. This post was written by Neil Allen for publish on Evangelist Christopher Replogle's website: www.replogleministries.com
