Replies

If you're asking about a "list of good deeds" that will compel the Lord to let a person in, there isn't one. Why? Because that can't undo the wicked works he's done. Doing good deeds can't make a guilty person not guilty.

The only way a person could get in on his own merit is by his flawless record of "works" as Paul wrote about in Romans - namely, being not guilty of any sin. Such a person would have no need of forgiveness! "he has something to boast about". (Rom. 4:2) God would be forced to render a verdict of "not guilty", and allow him in, right?

Neither you nor I can demand such a verdict, can we? Our records don't make us look good, they make us look awful. Since we're guilty, we need some other way to be pronounced righteous (i.e. not-guilty verdict), some way other than actually BEING not guilty. Because our works convict us as guilty.

So how does a person get a verdict of "righteous - not guilty" when his record of works is a rap-sheet of crimes? When his works expose him as unrighteous, is there a way the Judge can acquit him anyhow? Maybe by considering something besides his ugly record of works?

"...just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.'" - Rom. 4:7-8

God be praised, there IS another way to be acquitted - a way to be acquitted IN SPITE OF our works! (Cuz we sure screwed up the chance to make it on works. Sin #1 did that.)