Today, there is a commonly held belief that there is no need for God, many individuals believe they are “a good person,” and that is enough. This idea, often rooted in humanistic and moralistic paradigms, asserts that one’s good deeds and moral behavior are the primary criteria for eternal salvation. However, from an theological perspective, the Bible presents a different view. While being a good person is commendable, it is not the basis for entering heaven. Instead, salvation is presented as a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. This blog post will explore this evangelical stance through an exegesis of vital Biblical passages, focusing on Matthew 19:25-26, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Romans 3:28.
Human Goodness is Insufficient
The Bible emphasizes that human goodness alone, no matter how commendable, cannot earn salvation or enter heaven. This concept is vividly illustrated in the story of the rich young ruler in the Gospel of Matthew. The passage reads:
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:16-26, ESV).
In this passage, the rich young ruler’s adherence to the commandments exemplifies a form of human righteousness. However, Jesus challenges his understanding by pointing out that only God is truly good. This dialogue underscores the Christian belief that human righteousness falls short of God’s perfect standard. No matter how commendable one’s actions may be, they cannot suffice for salvation.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
The doctrine of salvation by grace through faith is central to theology. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians articulates this principle clearly:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
This passage underscores that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be earned through human efforts or good deeds. This theological understanding is that grace is an unmerited favor bestowed by God upon sinners. Faith, then, is how individuals receive this grace. It is not a human work but a divine gift. Thus, the basis of salvation lies not in human merit but in the grace of God, accessed through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Role of Good Works
While good works are not the means of salvation, they are not discounted in theology. Good works are seen as the fruit of genuine faith, not its root. The Apostle James explains this relationship in his epistle:
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:17-24, ESV).
James argues that genuine faith will necessarily produce good works. These works are not the basis of justification but the evidence of a living faith. From a Biblical perspective, good works are the natural outflow of a transformed life justified by faith and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, providing a tangible expression of one's faith.
The Impossibility of Self-Salvation
The ESV Bible consistently presents the attainment of heaven as impossible through human effort alone. The insufficiency of one’s own efforts is illustrated in Jesus’s interaction with his disciples following the encounter with the rich young ruler. When the disciples express astonishment at the difficulty of salvation, Jesus responds:
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:25-26, ESV).
This statement underscores the belief in the necessity of divine intervention for salvation. Due to the inherent sinfulness and moral inadequacy of 'good persons ', humans cannot save themselves. Salvation is, therefore, entirely dependent on God’s grace and power, reinforcing our need for divine intervention.
The Centrality of Christ
Theology places Jesus Christ at the center of the salvation narrative. The Bible consistently considers Jesus the sole mediator between God and humanity. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in his letter to the Romans:
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28, ESV).
This declaration underscores that justification—being declared righteous before God—is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to the law or human efforts. Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the complete and sufficient basis for salvation. As Peter also affirms:
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, ESV).
This exclusive claim highlights the Biblical conviction that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to attain salvation.
Repentance and Faith
The Bible also emphasizes the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ. Repentance involves a recognition of one’s sinfulness and a turning away from sin, while faith involves trusting in Christ’s righteousness rather than one’s own. The Gospel of Mark records Jesus’s proclamation at the beginning of his ministry:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15, ESV).
Repentance and faith are thus seen as two sides of the same coin. They represent the individual’s response to God’s offer of salvation through Christ. This response involves acknowledging one’s inability to save oneself and relying entirely on Christ’s finished work for salvation.
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that while being a good person is commendable, it is not the basis for entering heaven. Instead, salvation is presented as a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Though not worthy, this faith is how individuals receive God’s gracious gift. Good works, while important, are the evidence of this saving faith, not the basis of it. Human efforts are insufficient to attain salvation, entirely dependent on God’s grace and power. The centrality of Christ in the salvation narrative underscores the exclusivity of faith in him as the only way to eternal life. Repentance and faith are the necessary responses to this gracious offer, marking the beginning of a transformed life characterized by good works. This theological framework shapes our understanding of salvation and provides a robust response to the widespread belief that being a good person is enough to enter heaven.
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