We often wonder if our good works can earn us a place in heaven. The Bible teaches that our salvation is not earned through our own efforts, but is a gift of grace from God received through faith in Jesus Christ. As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” This verse clearly indicates that our good works cannot secure our place in heaven.
However, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of good works in the life of a believer. Our good works are a reflection of our faith and a way to glorify God. This leads us to the central question: Can good works get us into heaven? The Bible is clear that our salvation is not earned through our own good deeds, but is a free gift of grace from God. While good works are important, they are not the means by which we earn our way to heaven. Rather, they are a natural outpouring of our faith and a way to honor God with our lives.
Is Work a Gift from God?
The Bible emphasizes that work is a gift from God. In Ecclesiastes 5:19, we read, “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” Similarly, Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 describes the joy and fulfillment that can be found in one’s work. These passages encourage us, as Christians, to view our work as a way to glorify God and find purpose in our daily activities.
The fact that work is a gift from God further reinforces the idea that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts, including our good works. Our work is a blessing from God, but it does not earn us a place in heaven. Salvation is a free gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not through our own merits or good deeds.
What are Good Works?
Good works are actions that are pleasing to God and demonstrate our faith in Him. They can include acts of service, charity, and obedience to God’s commands. The Bible provides numerous examples of good works, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the poor (Matthew 25:31-46).
While good works are important and reflect our faith, the Bible makes it clear that they cannot earn us a place in heaven. Our salvation is a gift of grace, not something we can achieve through our own efforts. Good works are a natural outpouring of our faith, but they do not serve as the means by which we are saved.
Bible Verses About Good Works and Salvation
Among numerous Bible verses, these 5 directly address the relationship between good works and salvation.
- Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
- Romans 3:20: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
- Galatians 2:16: “know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”
- Romans 4:5: “However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
Does Good Works Get You Into Heaven?
While good works are important and reflect our faith, the Bible makes it clear that they cannot earn us a place in heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works. Similarly, Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” These verses emphasize that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts.
The Bible is clear that our good works, no matter how numerous or impressive, cannot secure our place in heaven. Salvation is a free gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ. While good works are important and reflect our faith, they are not the means by which we are saved. Our salvation is entirely dependent on the grace and mercy of God, not on our own merits or achievements.
The Three Types of Heaven
The Bible describes three types of heaven: the first heaven or the firmament where the birds fly; the second heaven where the moons, the planets, and stars are located; and the third heaven where God Himself dwells.
The First Heaven: The Earth’s Atmosphere
The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, where the birds fly. This is evident from verses like Deuteronomy 11:17, which speaks of the “heaven” being shut up, preventing rain from falling on the land. Deuteronomy 28:12 also mentions the “heaven” opening to give rain, referring to the earth’s atmosphere.
The fact that the first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere further reinforces the idea that our good works cannot earn us a place in the highest heaven, where God dwells. The first heaven is a physical, earthly realm, while the third heaven is the spiritual dwelling place of God. Our salvation is not dependent on our earthly achievements, but on our faith in Jesus Christ.
The Second Heaven: Outer Space
The second heaven is the realm of outer space, where the moons, planets, and stars are located. Verses like Deuteronomy 17:3, Psalms 19:4-6, and Jeremiah 8:2 refer to the “host of heaven,” which includes the sun, moon, and stars, indicating this second heaven.
Similar to the first heaven, the second heaven is a physical, created realm, not the spiritual dwelling place of God. Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to reach the heavens, whether the first or the second, but on our faith in Jesus Christ, who has opened the way to the third heaven, the true dwelling place of God.
The Third Heaven: The Dwelling Place of God
The third heaven is the dwelling place of God Himself. This is the heaven that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 12:2, where he was “caught up to the third heaven.” Verses like 1 Kings 8:30 and Psalms 2:4 also speak of God dwelling in the heavens, referring to this third heaven.
The third heaven, as the dwelling place of God, is the realm of true spiritual significance. It is here that we find the presence of God, not in our own good works or earthly achievements. Our salvation is not earned through our own efforts, but is a gift of grace, granted to us through our faith in Jesus Christ, who has opened the way to the third heaven.
The Saints in Heaven
The saints in heaven are those who have been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. They are those who have been purified from their sins and are now in the presence of God. These are the individuals who have accepted God’s gift of salvation and have been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The saints in heaven are not there because of their own good works, but because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Their salvation is not earned, but freely given by God. This further reinforces the biblical truth that our good works cannot get us into heaven, but that our salvation is a gift of grace, received through our faith in the Lord.
The Purge
The purge is the process of purifying ourselves from our old nature, not through good works, but through the works of Christ and the reason He died. This is what gets us into heaven. Letting the works of Christ and the reason He died be finished in our lives is the key to entering heaven.
As Romans 6:6 states, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 7:24 also expresses the struggle with our old nature, “O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Finally, 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The purge is not about our own good works, but about the work of Christ on our behalf. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit, working in our lives, that we are transformed and purified, not through our own efforts. This is the key to entering heaven, not our own good deeds, but the finished work of Christ and the new life He has given us.
Can We Be Saved by Good Works?
The Bible is clear that we cannot be saved by our own good works. Salvation is a gift of grace from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. However, the Bible also teaches that good works are a natural outpouring of our faith and a way to glorify God. Some key ways we can be saved according to the Bible:
- Faith in Jesus Christ: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16
- God’s grace and mercy: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:4-5
- Repentance and turning from sin: Acts 3:19, Luke 13:3
- Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior: Romans 10:9-10, John 1:12
While good works are important, they are not the means by which we earn our salvation. Rather, they are a natural outpouring of our faith and a way to honor God with our lives. Our salvation is a free gift, received through our faith in Jesus Christ, not through our own efforts or good deeds.
FAQs: What Can Get Us into Heaven?
Why aren’t we raptured immediately after accepting christ as our savior?
It wouldn’t be genuine repentance. The soul is complex, and God, who sees all, knows our hearts. He doesn’t work like a magician, breaking the rules He set for the earthly realm. The Bible tells us to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Paul emphasizes not just working out salvation but doing so with reverence and awe. We believe in our hearts, confess for salvation, and repent genuinely to walk the path of salvation.
Does faith in jesus alone ensure our salvation?
Jesus highlighted the importance of genuine faith and actions in Revelation. He praised those who clothed the naked and helped the poor, emphasizing that mere acknowledgment of Him isn’t enough (Revelation 3:15-16). Faith in Jesus must lead to a transformation where His sacrifice is fully realized in our lives. It’s not just about good deeds but the inner change that comes from understanding His sacrifice.
Is there a place for further purification of souls?
The concept of purgatory as a place for soul purification is debated, with no definitive answer. Living as if purgatory doesn’t exist is advised. Our focus should be on the present and the visible, while our hope lies in the promise of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). It’s essential to live faithfully and strive for spiritual growth, trusting in the promise of eternal life through Christ.
In conclusion, the Bible is clear that our salvation is not earned through our own efforts, but is a gift of grace from God received through faith in Jesus Christ. While good works are important and reflect our faith, they cannot secure our place in heaven. The Bible describes three types of heaven, each with its own unique purpose and significance.
As believers, we should strive to do good works not to earn our way to heaven, but out of gratitude for the salvation God has freely given us. By focusing on our relationship with God and living according to His will, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in our work and our lives. The key to entering heaven is not through our own good works, but through the purging of our old nature and the acceptance of the work of Christ on our behalf.