Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 1/18/2006

Question
Matthews 25:31-46 - According to this passage, those who helped the needy receive eternal life & those who didn't are judged.  Does it mean that good deeds can take us to heaven?  If not, what does this passage mean? Thank you.

Answer
Dear Lenin,
   Thanks for writing.  The passage you mentions means that if you have believed Jesus enough to have Him forgive your sins and live through you (Galatians 2:20), then your life will demonstrate God's good deeds (not our good deeds) that He has prepared for us to walk in.(Ephesians 2:10)
   In Matthew 7:21-23 many who say, "Lord, Lord..in your name we have done many wonderful works," are not known (as in belonging to Him) by Jesus.  Their good deeds don't take them to heaven.
   It is our total trust in God, shown by Jesus living in and through us, that allows us into a perfect heaven.  All our "good deeds" fall short of perfection.(Romans 3:23)  We all deserve death.(Romans 6:23)  God's gift of eternal life is only through Jesus Christ our Lord.  He is the only perfect human, so we have to die to ourselves and be raised to the new life of Jesus Christ.  The whole chapter of Romans 6 explains this.  Also, Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."  
   Please place your trust completely in God's salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, and encourage others to also.  It really is a matter of life or death.
   Love,
   Priscilla Lyons