Did you know that every single soul who has departed from this earth and ascended to Heaven did nothing to earn their divine place? No matter how profoundly they lived, how frequently they worshiped in church, how generously they donated to their faith, how often they extended their hands to the needy, how diligently they immersed themselves in the Scriptures, or whatever accolades they garnered for their extraordinary acts during their time here, none of these achievements secured their spot in Heaven. The stark truth is, the only offering a person brings to their salvation is their own sin and shameful deeds.

Now, let us not forget that there are certain churches and sects of Christianity that vehemently challenge this truth. Some church leaders boldly propagate the misleading notion that our good deeds alone can earn us salvation and gain us entry into Heaven. But it is imperative that we turn to Scripture and discover what the Bible truly says about this matter, rather than merely accepting the words of man.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes this concerning salvation:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9, LSB

This can be incredibly challenging for us to embrace! By acknowledging that our salvation has nothing to do with our efforts and everything to do with the God, we confront the reality that we are not the architects of our own fate. It’s a tough pill to swallow! As human beings, it’s in our nature to crave control. Particularly in Western culture, we yearn for what we have rightfully earned. We pour our hearts and souls into pursuing specific goals, expecting to reap the rewards of our labor. When we achieve greatness, we naturally desire great recognition in return. It’s exceedingly rare to find someone who willingly claims they deserve accolades for work left undone!

But think about it for a second. What if, in the eyes of an almighty God who abhors sin, we actually got what we deserved? What would that reward be? Better yet, what would that penalty be? The psalmist writes in Psalm 102:

Yahweh is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always contend with us, And He will not keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, And He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:8-13, LSB

I’m utterly astonished that God, in His mercy, doesn’t give me what my failings truly deserve. Acknowledging my blatant disregard for Him, I know deep down that I should be condemned. It’s true—no matter the accolades or accomplishments I’ve amassed during my life, I realize that nothing I’ve achieved warrants a place in Heaven. I fully recognize my utter unworthiness of salvation. Yet, in an incredible twist of fate, it is precisely through my unwavering faith in Christ and the astonishing grace He has freely bestowed upon me that I somehow claim my salvation. That, my friends, is the essence of grace!