The Answer is "No!"
You may be surprised to learn that doing good things, or doing good works, or having good intentions can never make us righteous in God's sight. (Click 2 above to continue reading)
The Bible teaches that we are all sinners and often do things (even good things) with wrong motives. We may have felt sorry for our sins, determined to do better, prayed a prayer, or promised to make Jesus the Lord of our life, but none of these things can ever take our sins away. Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 7:21-23 (Click 3 above to continue)
According to the Bible, we all fall infinitely short of God's standards and we completely lack the righteousness God requires. Even our deepest devotion and the very best things we do are totally unacceptable to God as a way to be made right with Him. Romans 3:10-12, Isaiah 64:6 (Click 4 above)
Doing good things can actually hinder us from getting right with God because they can cause us to rely on our own effort, obedience, devotion or self-righteousness. But we can never be made right with God this way or by any promise or sacrifice we make. Only Christ's once and for all sacrifice on the cross for us removes our guilt forever. Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 3:18 (Click 5 above)
On the cross, Jesus suffered the full punishment you deserve. Because He died in your place, God offers you full forgiveness and eternal life without cost, if you will simply put your faith in Him as your one and only Savior. Romans 3:21-25
You may be surprised to learn that the Bible makes it clear that the very best of what we have to offer God is simply not good enough to take away our sins or make us righteous in His sight! (Click Here to Continue Reading)
This means that no matter how religious you are, how moral you are, or how good you are...God will not overlook your inborn sinfulness or your constant failure to live up to His perfect standard of perfect holiness.
This means that going to church, getting baptized, and giving your money... will never make you right with God or righteous in his sight.
And, this means that no matter how determined you are to follow and obey Jesus, or how resolved you are to make Him the Lord of every area of your life, you will always fall short (infinitely short!) of the glory of God and the perfect righteousness He demands.
Even if you confessed all of your your sins, felt sorry for your sins, did penance for your sins, and turned from your sins, it would never be enough to reconcile you to God or make you acceptable in His sight.
Even if If you denied yourself, took up your cross daily, and then persevered in faithfulness to the end of your life, you would be no closer to receiving forgiveness of sins than the worst sinner who has ever lived.
And, even if you sold everything you own to feed the poor, and were tortured for Christ, and became a martyr for Christ, none of these personal sacrifices would give you even the slightest hope or possibility of entrance into heaven.
In fact, the Bible teaches that relying on, or depending on, any one of these things (or all of these things combined) for forgiveness of sins and justification before God, will only lead you into everlasting condemnation and eternal separation from God.
Although most of these things are not bad in themselves, none of them can save you from God's judgment. In fact, as a means or method of getting right with God, they are offensive and utterly rejected by God.
Simply put, God's way of giving us forgiveness of sins and providing us with the perfect righteousness He demands, has nothing to do with our commitment, dedication or personal devotion either to our religion, our church, or to Jesus Himself. Because God's way has absolutely nothing to do with our good works, good deeds or good intentions. Titus 3:5 says, "It is not by righteous things we have done, but only by His mercy he saved us" and Ephesians 2:8&9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast."
The Bible teaches that God has provided a way that does not have anything to do with our works or anything else we do for God, but is solely based on what Jesus Christ has already done for us when He died for our sins and was punished with the punishment we rightfully deserve. On the cross, Jesus offered Himself as the once and for all sacrifice for our sins, shedding His blood for us and washing away our sins forever. He did this because of His deep love and compassion for us. The Bible says that when we were "sinners" and God's "enemies", God showed us His undeserved love when Christ died for us! (Romans 5:6-9)
Because Jesus paid the full price and the final penalty for our sins, God offers us full forgiveness, the provision of His Christ's own perfect righteousness, and eternal life that can never be lost! He offers all of this to us and more as a free gift without any cost to us whatsoever! The Bible teaches that anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ alone as their only Savior receives "forgiveness of sins" and "everlasting life." The salvation and new life that God provides is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for those who understand that they have no righteousness of their own before God, but who simply believe that Jesus did everything necessary to save them, through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead three days later.
"This righteousness from God, come through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe [in Him]. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God are are justified (declared righteous in God's sight) freely by His grace, through the redemption [the price paid on the cross] that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice that satisfied God's justice and turned away His wrath from us. We are pronounced 'perfectly righteous' in God's sight on the basis of His blood, to be received by faith [faith in what Christ has already fully and finally accomplished for us on the cross]..." (Romans 3:22-25a)
Yes. The Scripture is clear that it is God alone who justifies and saves sinners. Romans 4:5 tells us, "To the one who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to Him as righteousness." In this same chapter, the apostle Paul tells that apart from any righteousness of His own and apart from any works of His own, "Abraham believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness..." Then Paul tells says, "The words, 'It was credited to Him' were written not for Abraham alone, but also for us to whom God will credit righteousness. For us who believe in Him who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life again for our justification."
2 Timothy 1:9 says, "He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace..." And in Romans 11:6, Paul makes the point that if it is by grace, it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace." Note: The word grace refers to that which is freely given by God, on the basis of Christ's death on the cross to those who are sinful, helpless, and utterly unworthy.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." This means that God sent Jesus from heaven to earth to die for our sins. And then it says, "that whoever believes on Him will not perishm=, but have everlasting have everlating Life."
This means that no matter how religious you are, how moral you are, or how good you are...God will not overlook your inborn sinfulness or your constant failure to live up to His perfect standard of perfect holiness.
This means that going to church, getting baptized, and giving your money... will never make you right with God or righteous in his sight.
And, this means that no matter how determined you are to follow and obey Jesus, or how resolved you are to make Him the Lord of every area of your life, you will always fall short (infinitely short!) of the glory of God and the perfect righteousness He demands.
Even if you confessed all of your your sins, felt sorry for your sins, did penance for your sins, and turned from your sins, it would never be enough to reconcile you to God or make you acceptable in His sight.
Even if If you denied yourself, took up your cross daily, and then persevered in faithfulness to the end of your life, you would be no closer to receiving forgiveness of sins than the worst sinner who has ever lived.
And, even if you sold everything you own to feed the poor, and were tortured for Christ, and became a martyr for Christ, none of these personal sacrifices would give you even the slightest hope or possibility of entrance into heaven.
In fact, the Bible teaches that relying on, or depending on, any one of these things (or all of these things combined) for forgiveness of sins and justification before God, will only lead you into everlasting condemnation and eternal separation from God.
Although most of these things are not bad in themselves, none of them can save you from God's judgment. In fact, as a means or method of getting right with God, they are offensive and utterly rejected by God.
Simply put, God's way of giving us forgiveness of sins and providing us with the perfect righteousness He demands, has nothing to do with our commitment, dedication or personal devotion either to our religion, our church, or to Jesus Himself. Because God's way has absolutely nothing to do with our good works, good deeds or good intentions. Titus 3:5 says, "It is not by righteous things we have done, but only by His mercy he saved us" and Ephesians 2:8&9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast."
The Bible teaches that God has provided a way that does not have anything to do with our works or anything else we do for God, but is solely based on what Jesus Christ has already done for us when He died for our sins and was punished with the punishment we rightfully deserve. On the cross, Jesus offered Himself as the once and for all sacrifice for our sins, shedding His blood for us and washing away our sins forever. He did this because of His deep love and compassion for us. The Bible says that when we were "sinners" and God's "enemies", God showed us His undeserved love when Christ died for us! (Romans 5:6-9)
Because Jesus paid the full price and the final penalty for our sins, God offers us full forgiveness, the provision of His Christ's own perfect righteousness, and eternal life that can never be lost! He offers all of this to us and more as a free gift without any cost to us whatsoever! The Bible teaches that anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ alone as their only Savior receives "forgiveness of sins" and "everlasting life." The salvation and new life that God provides is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for those who understand that they have no righteousness of their own before God, but who simply believe that Jesus did everything necessary to save them, through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead three days later.
"This righteousness from God, come through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe [in Him]. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God are are justified (declared righteous in God's sight) freely by His grace, through the redemption [the price paid on the cross] that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice that satisfied God's justice and turned away His wrath from us. We are pronounced 'perfectly righteous' in God's sight on the basis of His blood, to be received by faith [faith in what Christ has already fully and finally accomplished for us on the cross]..." (Romans 3:22-25a)
Yes. The Scripture is clear that it is God alone who justifies and saves sinners. Romans 4:5 tells us, "To the one who does not work, but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to Him as righteousness." In this same chapter, the apostle Paul tells that apart from any righteousness of His own and apart from any works of His own, "Abraham believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness..." Then Paul tells says, "The words, 'It was credited to Him' were written not for Abraham alone, but also for us to whom God will credit righteousness. For us who believe in Him who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life again for our justification."
2 Timothy 1:9 says, "He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace..." And in Romans 11:6, Paul makes the point that if it is by grace, it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace." Note: The word grace refers to that which is freely given by God, on the basis of Christ's death on the cross to those who are sinful, helpless, and utterly unworthy.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." This means that God sent Jesus from heaven to earth to die for our sins. And then it says, "that whoever believes on Him will not perishm=, but have everlasting have everlating Life."
You may be surprised to learn that the Bible makes it clear that the very best of what we have to offer God is simply not good enough to take away our sins or make us righteous in God's sight! This means that no matter how religious you are, how moral you are, or how good you are; God will not overlook your inborn sinfulness or your constant failure to live up to His perfect standard of perfect holiness. This also means that going to church, getting baptized, and giving your money... will never make you right with God or righteous in his sight. And, this means that no matter how determined you are to follow and obey Jesus, or how resolved you are to make Him the Lord of every area of your life, you will always fall short (infinitely short!) of the glory of God and the perfect righteousness He demands. (Click Here to Continue Reading)
This means that no matter how religious you are, how moral you are, or how good you are; God will not overlook your inborn sinfulness or your constant failure to live up to His perfect standard of perfect holiness. This also means that going to church, getting baptized, and giving your money... will never make you right with God or righteous in his sight. And, this means that no matter how determined you are to follow and obey Jesus, or how resolved you are to make Him the Lord of every area of your life, you will always fall short (infinitely short!) of the glory of God and the perfect righteousness He demands.
Even if you confessed every sin that you have ever committed , felt sorry for your sins, did penance for your sins, and turned from your sins; it would never be enough to reconcile you to God or make you acceptable in His sight. Even if you denied yourself, took up your cross daily, and then persevered in faithfulness to the end of your life, you would be no closer to receiving forgiveness of sins than the worst sinner who has ever lived. And, even if you sold everything you own to feed the poor, and were tortured for Christ, and became a martyr for Christ, none of these personal sacrifices would give you even the slightest hope or possibility of entrance into heaven.
Although most of these things are not bad in themselves, none of them can save you from God's judgment. In fact, as a means or method of getting right with God, they are offensive and utterly rejected by God. In fact, the Bible teaches that relying on, or depending on, any one of these things (or all of these things combined) for forgiveness of sins and justification before God, will only lead you into everlasting condemnation and eternal separation from God.
Simply put, God's way of giving us forgiveness of sins and providing us with the perfect righteousness that He demands, has nothing to do with our commitment, dedication or personal devotion either to our religion, our church, or to Jesus Himself. This is the case, because God's way has absolutely nothing to do with our good works, good deeds or good intentions. Titus 3:5 says, "It is not by righteous things we have done, but only by His mercy he saved us" and Ephesians 2:8&9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast."
(Click Here to Continue Reading)
Even if you confessed every sin that you have ever committed , felt sorry for your sins, did penance for your sins, and turned from your sins; it would never be enough to reconcile you to God or make you acceptable in His sight. Even if you denied yourself, took up your cross daily, and then persevered in faithfulness to the end of your life, you would be no closer to receiving forgiveness of sins than the worst sinner who has ever lived. And, even if you sold everything you own to feed the poor, and were tortured for Christ, and became a martyr for Christ, none of these personal sacrifices would give you even the slightest hope or possibility of entrance into heaven.
Although most of these things are not bad in themselves, none of them can save you from God's judgment. In fact, as a means or method of getting right with God, they are offensive and utterly rejected by God. In fact, the Bible teaches that relying on, or depending on, any one of these things (or all of these things combined) for forgiveness of sins and justification before God, will only lead you into everlasting condemnation and eternal separation from God.
Simply put, God's way of giving us forgiveness of sins and providing us with the perfect righteousness that He demands, has nothing to do with our commitment, dedication or personal devotion either to our religion, our church, or to Jesus Himself. This is the case, because God's way has absolutely nothing to do with our good works, good deeds or good intentions. Titus 3:5 says, "It is not by righteous things we have done, but only by His mercy he saved us" and Ephesians 2:8&9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast."
(Click Here to Continue Reading)
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