Page 32 - January 2026 - Truth & Tidings

’m sure if you ask someone on the street, works? If you do good works, don’t stop; we
“What must someone do to go to heav- need good neighbors. But if we can get to
Ien?” they’ll probably say something along heaven (or, in other words, be forgiven of all our
these lines: You must be a good person, go to sins) by our good works, why did Jesus Christ die
church, follow the Ten Commandments, etc. on the cross? Just to be an example? A martyr?
Is that what you would say? All these things No. It was to provide a way to heaven for us. He
are great in themselves, but is that the way took our sins upon Himself at the cross. He paid
to get ready to meet God? Many people live the debt. And He said on the cross, “It is finished”
in a rat-race world – get up, go to work, go to (Joh 19:30). Done!
bed, and repeat. Do. Do. Do! And many apply Why do we want to do good works? It makes
the same routine when it comes to spiritual us feel good, right? You, like many others in this
matters. The Bible is clear: It’s not “Do,” but world, might have this idea that when you die
“Done!” I’ll explain further. Let’s look at a and meet God, He will have a balance before
verse together: “He saved us – not by works Him. Your good deeds will be on one side and
of righteousness that we had done, but ac- your sins on the other, and whichever weighs
cording to his mercy – through the washing more wins. But this teaching is not found in the
of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Bible. And what a way to live, not knowing where
Spirit” (Titus 3:5 CSB). you’ll be for eternity. We cannot pay for our sins.
Who saves us, according to this verse? The That’s why someone else, Jesus Christ, became
Bible is clear: God. And God is in the business of the Substitute, the Redeemer. His name means
saving people; that’s why He sent Jesus. And to “the LORD saves.”
make sure we understand the point, Paul clearly Do you agree with what the Bible says? Are
says, “not by works.” Maybe you’re saying to you still relying on your works to bring you to
yourself, It must not be that simple. There must heaven after you die? I hope these words make
be an error in that passage. Let’s look at another you reflect on what you’re trying to do. All has
clear verse: “For you are saved by grace through been done by the Lord Jesus, the Son of God.
faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s Because He loved us, He gave Himself for us
gift – not from works, so that no one can boast” at the cross. And God has raised Him from the
(Eph 2:8-9 CSB). Again, note the phrase “not dead, which proves that God has accepted His
from works.” work. Now you must repent and believe on Him.
So, what’s the problem with doing good Have you?