In France lies a statue called Le Penseur (The Thinker). This statue initially lied on top of a gate called the gates of hell.
The thinker observes people who arrived at the end of their lives and enter hell through the gate. As he observes these people, he would often think about his life and its end.
How many people think about the end of their lives? Nobody go through this deeply in their mind, left alone how we can avoid entering hell. If we consider this carefully, we will know that life is not only short but also a destination awaits us after death.
Some people realized that something must be done to escape hell. But they failed to uncover the secret. So, they just resorted to doing good hoping that would send them to heaven.
Most religions across the world hold similar views: “If you do good, God will reward you, but if you do bad, God will chastise you.”. if that is truly the case, what then differentiates one belief system from the other?
Many Christians get it wrong when they still call themselves sinners and strive to pray to God for His forgiveness. They struggle each time to do good things. Meanwhile, God had already explained that no one is good; Rom 3:10-18. If God declared this and you insist on doing good; then I ask, who is right? God, who thinks no one is good or you, who believe you are good or can do good (that is why you insist on doing good.).
Everyone, in 1 Sam 16:7, God says He sees the heart, and in Jeremiah 17:9 and 10, He proclaimed the heart is deceitful above all things. While your fellow human might see your physical acts, he/she is unable to see deeper. He cannot tell your deep thoughts. God, on the other hand, can see and tell.
Humans, most of the time, have hidden motives. They might be doing what they call good to people but secretly expecting some kind of payback - in cash or kind. Celebrities often do charity works and it seems they are doing good (at least before men). But they might also be hoping their act of kindness would advance their careers or at least, keep them relevant.
Folks, I am not here to condemn anyone but to lay the fact bare. And that is, before God, no amount of works or actions by humans amount to anything. In Heb 11:6, he said nothing pleases Him but faith. Ephe 2:8 states that it is by grace and not of yourselves.
When it comes to matters pertaining to the cleansing of sins, it is SOLELY the work of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21) and He accomplished this with His precious blood. Hebrews chapter 10 especially verses 10 and 14 explains how he made us saints and perfect by the action His sacrifice. The problem of sin is already solved. There is therefore no condemnation. (Rom 8:1)
Happy New Year!
