I AM A GOOD MAN

Timothy Joseph, popularly known as Tim Joe in his community, is a noble man, and because of this, he is loved and respected by his people in his community. He is very religious; he never misses the church services. He’s also very generous; he gives out alms, runs scholarship programs and gives his offering and 10 percent; even more of his weekly income to the church.
One day, while having a conversation with an old-time friend; Frank Kelvin, he asked him a question, “My very good friend, I’ve been longing to ask you this, I think now is the best time to do so.”
“Alright, go ahead. You know it may take another decade to see each other again,” he laughed.
“Okay, are you saved? I mean when you die, where would you spend eternity,” he asked.
“In heaven of course. Heaven knows that I am a good man,” he replied.
“Oh really?”
“Yes, that’s what matter a lot.”
“I know this may be so surprising. Being good doesn’t matter a lot; being good will never guarantee you of going to heaven.”
In surprise, he asked, “How? I’m sorry Frank, I don’t understand.”
Frank Kelvin then had to explain the scriptures to him for about 10 minutes. And after their conversation, he became convinced that all his good works weren’t good enough to get him saved from going to hell.

Tim Joe’s experience looks like the parable Jesus told of the Pharisee and the Tax collector in Luke 18:9-14. And many folks are guilty of that, we may go to church, help the poor and do many good things; just like Tim Joe, but that can never guarantee you of going to heaven. Jesus Christ said, “I assure you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5, 7)
Jesus Christ said we shouldn’t be surprised, because our good deeds cannot, but by being born again (born of water and the Spirit), that can guarantee you. Why? David gave the answer, “For I was born a sinner─ yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5). We were born as sinners. That’s why Isaiah wrote, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags…” (64:6)
‘As the scriptures says, “No one is righteous─ not even one… No one does good, not a single one.” For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are [either good or bad]. For everyone has sinned [because we are born as sinners and cannot fulfill all the laws (Ref. James 2:10)]; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with grace, declare that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not base on obeying the law. It is base on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.’
Romans 3:10, 12, 20, 22-24, 27, 28, 31 [Paraphrased]

God knows our good works can’t guarantee our salvation, but by his grace─ giving us his Son as the remedy, the gift from God. So when you are saved only by grace through faith in Him; then your works can now be counted as good (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5).

Do you want to be saved? There’s no other way to heaven than Jesus. If yes, then say this aloud with all sincerity:
Lord Jesus, I believe you die for my sins. I believe what your words say that I am sinner and my good works can’t take me to heaven, but by your grace.
Therefore, I plead for mercy. Forgive me my sins and give me a new heart to remain faithful to you. I ask from you o Lord that your grace will always sustain me as I surrender all to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Praise God! God has saved you and heaven rejoices. Now that you are saved, keep on with the good works (1 Timothy 6:12; James 2:17).
God bless you!