My shoemaker is a religious, industrious man, but, on his own confession, he is not saved. I was in his shop lately, arranging to have some shoes repaired and took the opportunity of asking him if his soul was saved.
“No, sir; but I am trying to live a good life.”
I was forced to tell him that he could no more get to heaven that way than through trying to fly there by flapping his arms like wings. He seemed quite astonished at the statement. It would be a thousand times easier for a strong person to raise himself in a tub by his own strength, than it would be for a sinner to raise himself one inch nearer to God by “good works.”
Perhaps, like my shoemaker friend, you are astonished, and ask,
“Why cannot a person be saved by a good life and good deeds?”
The answer is extremely simple and final: Because it is not God's Way. It is not a sinner's good life that will ever save him, but it is Christ's good death that saves him.
The fairest human life is but a faulty thing when seen by the searching eyes of a holy God, and if you have nothing better to offer to God than your good life, it will go ill with you in the Day of Judgment.
Rest your soul on Christ's death for salvation first, and then live as good a Christian life, and perform as many good works, as possible. Do it now!
“What shall we do that we might work the works of God?”
“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.” Eph. 2:8, 9, 108For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8‑10).