Coach's Corner

Good Works

Do good works have anything to do with getting into heaven?

Yes, of course good works have something to do with getting into heaven! There's no doubt. But don't start a checklist of good deeds just yet – it's so much better than that!

There's a nasty rumor floating around, that we can climb our way to heaven on a ladder of good works. The problem with this assumption is that it makes it seem as though admission to heaven can be earned like scout badges or a diploma. The problem is, that this ladder is man-made, so it's just as flawed and imperfect as we are. Regardless of how many good things we do, we still don't have a hope in heaven of getting there.

But, that's not the last word! Though the evidence against us is damning in no uncertain terms, Jesus Christ is responsible for the only good work that will ever be worthy of heaven – and he did this sacrificial work of complete goodness for us! God gave his son as a sacrifice in our place so that eternal life is available to us (Romans 6.23). THIS is the beautifully backward invitation to heaven, the incomparable good work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has paid the admission so that all we have to do is accept God's invitation of grace.

In a letter to the Ephesians, the Biblical author, Paul lays it out for them this way, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2.8-10).

Paul puts forward a challenge to those reading his letter. We've been offered heaven, not because we deserve it, but because of an amazingly gracious God. Heaven is a bi-product – it’s not the goal. The goal is to live a life that honors the One who saved us! What would you do if someone saved your life? Write them a Thank-You note? Probably a lot more than that. So, what would you do for the One who saved your whole being – body, mind, and soul?

If there ever was an inspiration to do something worthy of heaven with our lives … this is it.

So, yes, good works have a lot to do with getting into heaven, but it's not the good works that we do, they'd never be enough. Thank God, he has done the only good work that could ever make heaven a possibility for us. And we have a lifetime of opportunities to in say ‘thank you’ for that invitation.

Dave Smith
Jr. High Pastor

Posted February 01, 2009