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QUESTION 65:
What if I do good thing to myself, to everybody all of my life, but do not believe in God, where shall I go after life?

ANSWER:
It seems that man cannot accept the fact that doing good will not make you acceptable to God. The question has in it a good principle of life. I am sure if all lived that way the world would not be in the mess it is in today. However, good works cannot gain the mercy of God. The Bible says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5) Again, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

Many times people have said to me, "You mean my grandmother isn't in heaven, why she was a good old lady, never hurt anybody and was kind and generous, etc." I always reply, "If she was trusting in Christ alone she is there." Good works cannot undo or take away one sin you have ever committed. God requires that which is past. (Ecclesiastes 3:15) He cannot overlook not even one sin. Only one sin in the Garden of Eden, drove the man out of the presence of God, and he became lost to God, plunging the entire human race in sin.

Since we cannot take away out sins, God has made a way. He sent His Son into the world to bear away those sins. "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) "...He appeared once in the end of the world (age) to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Hebrews 9:26) The only advantage in the hereafter of living a good life now, would be in the degree of punishment one would receive in hell. God is very just. Nobody will suffer a bit more that they deserve. Every man will be judged according to their works. (Revelation 20:13) It will be easier for Sodom in the day of judgment that for many cities of our day. (Matthew 11:23)

What about you? Don't try, but trust Christ and be saved today.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen