Good People Don't Go to Heaven

We all think we are good. We seek to do those things that help not harm others. Well, there are some out there who are bad. They care only for themselves and don’t care how their lives effect others. But not us. We are good people. We even get compliments from others about how we try to do good. For the most part, we want to be good.

But what does God say? We know He is good, too. He is perfect and holy as well. He created the heaven and the earth.  To know what God says we look to the Scriptures. Jesus tells a law abiding citizen that no on is good but our Father in Heaven. (Mk. 10:18) Strong words. But it was the character of man that brought about the flood. (Gn. 6:5)

We think we are good. But it makes no difference what we think. What is important is what God thinks. You see, our righteous deeds are considered polluted garments. (Is. 64:6) No amount of good works will make us clean. Sobering words indeed. But what help is there for us? Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

To think we can earn our way into heaven by our goodness is to put our trust in ourselves. But God wants us to trust Him alone. We must decrease and He must increase. (Jn. 3:30) The less we trust in ourselves, the more we can trust in Him. And how do we do this?

First we must realize who we are in the eyes of the Lord. If we just compare our thoughts to the 10 Commandments, we will indeed fall short. And if we are falling short, we fall short of the glory of God. (Rm. 3:23) Second, we must understand the judgment we deserve. Are we going to heaven or going to hell.?  Third we must admit our need for a redeemer, someone who will pay or fine to the jailor. And then we can understand what Jesus did on that cross. He paid our debt meeting the legal demands of the Law. By His death He destroyed death. This is all God’s doing for He is that good.  (Col. 2:14)

So let us have a healthy perspective on our own goodness.

You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, 
those who remember you in your ways. 
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; 
in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? 
We have all become like one who is unclean, 
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. 
We all fade like a leaf, 
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Is. 64:5-6)