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How good do I have to be to go to heaven?
Grace to You ^ | November 17, 2010 | John MacArthur

Posted on 02/23/2015 7:40:36 AM PST by RnMomof7

Most people understand that doing evil can keep us out of heaven. But few realize the Bible also teaches that doing good cannot get us in. None of us could ever gain enough merit to deserve heaven. We are sinful, and God's standard is utter perfection. Jesus said, "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). He added, "you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Then who can be saved?
The disciples asked Jesus this same question (Matthew 19:25). His answer? "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (v. 26). In other words, our salvation is not something we can accomplish. It is something God must do for us.

What if I stopped sinning now and never sinned again?
We are hopelessly in bondage to sin and could not cease sinning no matter how hard we tried. Scripture says even our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). In other words, we are sinful to the core. Furthermore, a single sin would be enough to destroy us forever: "Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). But even if we never sinned from now on, we still bear the guilt of our past sins. And "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Is there any way to be free from the guilt of sin?
The Bible says, "The blood of Jesus ... cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

How can Jesus' blood cleanse our sins?
When God forgives, He doesn't merely overlook sin. Atonement must be made. Christ's death made full atonement for those who trust Him. His dying counts in our stead if we believe. However, that only erases the guilt of our sin. Remember, we still need perfect righteousness in order to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

Where do we get that perfect righteousness?
The full merit of Jesus' righteousness is imputed, or credited, to those who trust Him alone for salvation. Scripture teaches that God "justifies the ungodly" by reckoning Christ's righteousness to them (Romans 4:5). They are clothed in His righteousness, and God accepts believers solely and exclusively on that basis. That's why Paul was willing to discard all his own efforts to earn God's favor, preferring instead to stand before God robed in a righteousness that was not his own (Philippians 3:8-9).

If you are not a Christian, you need to lay hold of this truth by faith: the sin that will keep you out of heaven has no cure but the blood of Christ. If you are weary of your sin and exhausted from the load of your guilt, He tenderly holds forth the offer of life and forgiveness and eternal rest to you: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

How can I be sure Christ will save me?
No one will be turned away: "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). All are invited: "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).


TOPICS: Apologetics; Evangelical Christian; Mainline Protestant; Theology
KEYWORDS: christ; faith; hell; salvation
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To: RnMomof7

Really good. You have to be much better than Katy Perry.


41 posted on 02/23/2015 9:34:27 AM PST by Lazamataz (With friends like Boehner, we don't need Democrats. -- Laz A. Mataz, 2015)
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To: Salvation; RnMomof7
I'm guessing that you didn't know about Johnny Hart being a Presbyterian:
B.C. cartoonist's widow says he got to heaven ahead of her
'B.C.' cartoon seen as slur of Islam (Hamas Kiss-butt/Wahhabi Lobby Alert)
Johnny Hart to Appear B.C. [a liberal analysis of "Religion among the Funnies"]

42 posted on 02/23/2015 9:36:45 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: duckman

We’ve been studying Romans in Bible Study for months. I could not put it together so last night I sat down with a different version (The Living Bible/Tyndale) and read the King James’ introduction and outline, then read The Living Bible content. POP!!! It all came together! I saw an article about living the ROMAN Christian life yesterday so decided I needed to find out what truly was happening. Read Romans and it will answer your questions and start your heart changing HIS way!

Grace and Peace!!!


43 posted on 02/23/2015 9:44:47 AM PST by YouGoTexasGirl
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To: Alex Murphy

Did you answer her post 44 privately? I too am curious.


44 posted on 02/23/2015 9:53:45 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Alex Murphy

Or even post 34?


45 posted on 02/23/2015 9:54:54 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Resettozero
I too am curious.

"In before some idjit posts an Internet exorcism against you" PING

46 posted on 02/23/2015 9:59:50 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Alex Murphy

Thanks Alex. I read the words but do not comprehend their meaning. What meaning of Internet exorcism, Kemo Sabe?


47 posted on 02/23/2015 10:06:27 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Resettozero

“Just pointed out that Islam is not the only religion that has condoned murdering those who disagree with their religion.”

You still didn’t give any examples...


48 posted on 02/23/2015 10:08:09 AM PST by babygene
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To: Resettozero; RnMomof7
Thanks Alex. I read the words but do not comprehend their meaning. What meaning of Internet exorcism, Kemo Sabe?

On a thread commemorating Reformation Day 2010, a now-dormant Catholic FReeper posted a 5230-word exorcism "prayer" to a Protestant FReeper whom he had previously "rebuked", stating in an earlier post that the Protestant FReeper was "sponsored by Satan". The "exorcism" post itself was entirely in Latin (all 5230 words), and upon translation everyone could see what the Catholic FReeper was actually attempting.


49 posted on 02/23/2015 10:23:51 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Resettozero
"I wonder why those who value so little the life they actually have should want another."

For the believer in and follower of Lord Jesus Christ, it's the same life in Christ that began when he/she was born again of the Spirit. This new redeemed (saved) life will continue with Christ throughout eternity.

You may think of it that way, but Paul thought of it this way:

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Tim. 4:8)

It's the "life that now is" that most people squander while expecting one "which is to come." I wonder if they're planning to squander that one too.

50 posted on 02/23/2015 10:27:36 AM PST by philoginist
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To: RnMomof7
My understanding is that you can get to heaven by being good. All you have to do is be as good as God. Therein lies the rub. The first time you hit your thumb with a hammer, you disqualified yourself.
51 posted on 02/23/2015 10:48:11 AM PST by tbpiper
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To: philoginist
I wonder if they're planning to squander that one too.

What is it to you if they do?
52 posted on 02/23/2015 10:54:12 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: babygene
You still didn’t give any examples...

If you cannot think of a few on your own, any response from me would be unwise and needlessly provocative.
53 posted on 02/23/2015 10:56:33 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Alex Murphy

Sounds spooky. I envision heads a’spinnin’.


54 posted on 02/23/2015 10:57:41 AM PST by Resettozero
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To: Dick Vomer
I'll bet every disciple of Christ has felt that way from time to time. I certainly have.

But Christ didn't intend His followers to live in doubt and despair. Listen to this from Paul:

"And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." - Colossians 1:21-23

Let us diligently search the Scriptures for that gospel. And once we've found it, yield to it and hold to it, no matter what our Lord asks of us, and no matter what we suffer for being His disciples. Lest otherwise we "end up where we deserve". :-)
55 posted on 02/23/2015 11:01:58 AM PST by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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To: Resettozero

Except for the fact I dislike seeing anyone unhappy, it’s none of my business. Call it intellectual curiosity.


56 posted on 02/23/2015 11:05:37 AM PST by philoginist
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To: RnMomof7

Just try to be as good as your dog thinks you are. ;-)


57 posted on 02/23/2015 11:15:19 AM PST by uglybiker (nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-BATMAN!)
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To: tbpiper
My understanding is that you can get to heaven by being good. All you have to do is be as good as God. Therein lies the rub. The first time you hit your thumb with a hammer, you disqualified yourself.

Aha, that's "justification by works of law" in a nutshell! It's the "acquittal" justification referred to in this thread.
58 posted on 02/23/2015 12:42:06 PM PST by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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To: MrB

Liberals’ good intentions are what pave the way to hell.


59 posted on 02/23/2015 1:50:23 PM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: Fester Chugabrew
You do know that your quote from John 6 was years before Jesus' death and resurrection?

Do you also know that John is the only gospel that DOES NOT mention the institution of the eucharist during the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17)?

John 6 is at best ... a foreshadowing of the 'sacrament' ... but for John to omit the institution in chapters 13-17 wrecks your whole exegesis.

60 posted on 02/23/2015 4:53:30 PM PST by dartuser
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