The Bible Answers
Do all Good People Go to Heaven?
As this question would be commonly understood, the answer is false.
Note the following Scripture:
Romans 3:9-12. "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
The simple truth is this: there are no people who are ‘good’ in themselves. Human nature is corrupt so that no one is worthy of heaven. It is an illusion for a man to trust that he is a “good person” who deserves to go to heaven, for it simply is not true. No, not for a single one.
Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…."
Works of righteousness are not the reason we are saved, but the result of the mercy of God, for the Holy Spirit is the gift of God’s mercy to those who believe.
Romans 1:16,17. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Those who are just before God are those who believe the Gospel, for it is in the Gospel that God reveals His will for those who are saved. The just, therefore, live by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Those who are saved are the “workmanship” of God. God has made them what they are, and their character and good works are not their own, but the work of God in them. Hence, from beginning to end, any good works that the righteous do cannot be claimed as their own work, but the work of God in them.
Philippians 2:9-12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Christians have certainly been called by God to do good works, but the good works which are pleasing to God are those which are done by by the work of God in them. Although these works are the work of God these works are not the reason they are saved, but the results of their salvation.
Acts 4:10-12. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The resurrection of Christ from the dead is the foundation of the church, for by His resurrection He triumphed over death and hell. Because of this there is no other name or authority by which men can be saved, for to reject Christ is to reject the only provision that God has given to men for eternal salvation. It is a frightful sin to reject and turn away from Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
Romans 4:24-Romans 5:1 "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
The only provision that God has made for our “offences” against Him is that which was provided by Jesus Christ. His death was punishment for our sin and His resurrection was for our justification. We receive this only by faith, for it is by faith that we have access to God through Christ.
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