Have you ever heard the argument from a person who says, “I’m a good person at heart. I don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or take illegal drugs. I’m kind to others. So why do I need to know Jesus?”

People who say that are generally law-abiding citizens with what the world considers good morals. They think that their many gifts of time and money given to charitable organizations and good causes make them good enough to go to heaven, despite the fact that they haven’t accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

This type of thinking isn’t limited to the world either. There are those who have gone to church all of their lives, yet have not personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They feel their place in heaven is secured because they are faithful in choir or have served in the church for twenty years.

These kinds of people work their fingers to the bone in ministry positions and do good works in the community, but don’t realize that it’s all in vain if they don’t invite Jesus into their hearts.

People must realize that being good without having God doesn’t equal going to heaven. God must be behind everything that you do; He must be your motivator!

According to a 2000 Barna Research Group survey, 57% of all adults and three out of five teens (61%) who don’t attend church believe that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others during his or her life, that person will earn a place in heaven. In addition, a study by the same group in 2004 found that more than half of all adults (saved and unsaved) also agree with that statement.

This is a sad statistic. So many people have been deceived by wrong religious teaching. The church must rid itself of all traces of religion and get busy spreading the truth of salvation and the gospel of grace if these people are ever going to be free from bondage.

When the church begins to understand that no amount of service can outweigh Jesus’ sacrifice for you or me, people will begin to live their lives differently. Good works would be performed to glorify God instead of trying to get attention from Him.

People’s hearts would change, as well as their motivation for the things that they do. The best benefit of understanding your righteousness is knowing that even though you may mess up and sin, God still loves you, and you have a right to cry out to Him, “Abba, Father.” He will be there to help you every step of the way!

Remember, it’s not your good works that open the gates of heaven. Jesus is the key, and unless you go through Him, you’ll never see that promise. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)

Accept Him today and receive the best gift you could ever have – right standing with God!