Salvation Is Not From Works

The Israelites in Jesus's time had one thing, and one thing only, that they could loudly proclaim belief in. They said that they did the works of Moses and followed the law as perfectly as possible.

That's fine, even a good thing. But it matters not. Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.^{Luke 7:21-23}

A person can do the best things ever, and can do it in Jesus's name. But they will not earn their way into the kingdom of God. Jesus did not misspeak when he said called those people, ye that work iniquity. These people are demonstrably evil.

How so? By doing good and charitable work they proliferate an enjoyment of this life while saying they are in God's grace. Yet, they are vipers and liars, for Jesus said, He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.^{John 12:25 cf. Matthew 10:39, 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33. See also Matthew 10:37-38, Mark 8:34, Luke 14:26-27} A person who makes another person love their life more is a person doing evil.

Why? It is simple. God is not on Earth. If you love life here without God, then you cannot love God. And there is a dichotomy, either you love God and hate Earth, or you do not love God. Jesus said it best, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.^{Matthew 6:24}

By working to improve lives, you work to make people love their Earthly lives better. There is nothing more evil than you. Yes, people are crediting you and saying wonderful things about you, but you are a true abomination. Just as Jesus said, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.^{Luke 16:15}

Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.^{Luke 7:21} He also said, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.^{Matthew 12:50}

Salvation comes from doing the will of God. It is not by work that one gets into heaven. Take the example of the prodigal son. He could have set up foundations and orphanages and food banks and hospitals, but so long as he remained in the far country, he cannot do his father's will, which was to "come home."

No, to enter into the kingdom of God, one must do the will of God. The will of God is simple: And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.^{John 6:39-40}

God's only will is for you to be resurrected at the last day. He does not care about good works that detract from people's love of him. He does not care if you get married. He does not care if you become rich and achieve all your Earthly dreams.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.^{Luke 16:19-23}

Which of the two do you think enjoyed their life? The unknown rich man who "fared sumptuously every day"? Or Lazarus, whose sores were licked by dogs and starved? Which of the two do you think did more good works for their community? The unknown rich man who had lots of money to give to the temple and other charitable goods? Or Lazarus, who had not a penny to his name and couldn't even feed himself, let alone others?

Jesus said, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.^{Luke 7:22-23a} Jesus didn't tell us the name of the rich man, who was sent to hell, yet Jesus knew the name of Lazarus and even gave it to us.

There is one exception to this. It is in the will of God to help the little children in this Earth. Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.^{Matthew 19:14} Little children are in the kingdom of heaven by default, and we should treat them as our little brothers and sisters.

Jesus further said, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.^{Mark 9:37}

It is not our works that get us into heaven. It is by doing the will of God by being resurrected at the last day. And in order to do that, we simply need to listen to Jesus Christ.