What Good Works Must I Do to Be

Sure I Am Saved and Going to Heaven?

Many Churches teach it and many Christians believe that they must perform good works to get to Heaven. I had always believed that as I was growing up. It wasn’t until I was in high school and actually read the Bible completely through that I discovered the true meaning of grace and salvation. For some reason, many churches and Christians just do not feel that Faith alone is enough. They often quote the Book of James as their source for needing to perform good works. What they fail to realize is that James was writing his book specifically to Jewish Christians. His writing (the book of James) is considered the first letter written to Christians. Paul’s letters to the Romans and Ephesians had not been written and the dispensation of the Church and the doctrine of grace were not mentioned by James in his writings. James was telling the Jewish believers that faith without works is not beneficial to others who are observing them. It is only when they had works in their lives that others could see their faith. Later, Paul confronts Peter and James about the doctrine of grace, and then he clarifies the writing of James by addressing this topic in Romans Chapter 4, “Faith without works is dead to man, but not unto God, for what saith the scripture, Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto for righteousness.”

“1. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven , and whose sins are covered . 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Romans 4:1-8

First, it is critical to know that Salvation is a FREE GIFT that is given to those who believe. It is the sacrifice and the Blood of the Lamb that saves you from sin and brings you into the family of God as adopted Sons and Daughters of the most high God. It is not earned, nor is it by enhanced or made complete by any type of work or good deed you may do. It is by grace (God’s love and mercy) that your sins are washed away and you become a new creation in Christ. Salvation is complete and eternal. You do not lose your standing with God because you sin or by any thing you fail to do. Also, you do not keep your salvation by doing good works. You are going to heaven because you received the free gift of eternal life by faith in the sacrifice of Christ. You are not going to heaven because you to church on Sunday, follow the 10 commandments, or any other good work you try to perform.

Paul says:

“For by grace are you saved through faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works!” Ephesians 2: 8-9.

Jesus says:

 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus  answered  and  said  unto them,  This  is  the work  of God,  that  ye believe  on  him  whom  he hath sent. 37. All  that  the Father  giveth  me  shall come  to  me;  and  him that cometh  to  me  I will  in no wise  cast  out. 38. For  I came down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  mine own  will,  but  the will  of him that sent  me. 39. And  this  is  the Father's  will  which  hath sent  me,  that  of all  which  he hath given  me  I should lose  nothing, but  should raise  it  up again  at  the last  day. 40. And  this  is  the will  of him that sent  me,  that  every one  which  seeth  the Son,  and  believeth  on  him,  may have  everlasting  life:  and  I  will raise  him  up  at the last  day. 47. Verily,  verily,  I say  unto you,  He that believeth  on  me  hath  everlasting  life.  John 6: 28-29, 37-40, 47

 As a believer in Christ, your life is hid and you are sealed by the Holy Spirit for redemption. You can have complete confidence that you are going to heaven by faith in Christ as your Savior. John writes in his first letter:

“These things have I written unto you who believe on the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God”.
1 John 5:13

This is not written so that you may hope, wish, or think that you are saved, but so that you may know that you have (that is possess now) eternal life.