July 13, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” — Proverbs 16:25 (KJV)
If you were to stop people on the street and ask them one simple question—
“Why do you believe God will allow you into heaven?”
Many would probably answer something like this:
“I’ve tried to live a good life.”
“I help people.”
“I’ve never hurt anyone.”
“I go to church.”
“I try to keep the commandments.”
“I believe I’m a good person.”
These answers sound sincere. They sound reasonable. They may even sound religious.
The problem is this:
Jesus Christ never taught that being a good person saves anyone.
In fact, one of the greatest spiritual dangers is believing our goodness can accomplish what only Christ’s sacrifice can do.
The Rich Young Ruler Had Everything Religion Could Offer
One day a wealthy, moral, religious young man came running to Jesus.
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, KJV)
Notice his question.
He wasn’t asking how to become rich.
He wasn’t asking how to improve his marriage.
He wasn’t asking how to be happier.
He wanted eternal life.
From a human perspective, he appeared to be exactly the kind of person God would accept.
He had kept the commandments from his youth. He was respectable. He was sincere. He was admired.
Yet Jesus exposed the one thing he lacked.
The young man walked away sorrowful because his heart trusted something other than Christ.
His morality was impressive—but it could not save him.
God’s Standard Is Perfection
Many people compare themselves with other people.
“I’ve never committed murder.”
“I’m better than most.”
“I’ve lived an honest life.”
But God doesn’t compare us with our neighbors.
He compares us with His own holiness.
The Bible declares,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Even one sin separates us from a perfectly holy God.
Isaiah writes,
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” — Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
Notice that Isaiah does not merely speak of our sins.
He says our righteousness—our best efforts, our finest deeds, our greatest accomplishments—cannot remove our guilt before God.
No amount of goodness can erase sin.
Jesus Said We Must Be Born Again
When Nicodemus, one of Israel’s most respected religious leaders, came to Jesus by night, Jesus did not congratulate him for his devotion.
Instead, He immediately said,
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3 (KJV)
Nicodemus was deeply religious.
He knew Scripture.
He prayed.
He fasted.
He taught others.
Yet Jesus told him that none of those things could replace the new birth.
Religion is not enough.
Good works are not enough.
Church attendance is not enough.
Only a new birth through faith in Jesus Christ prepares a sinner for heaven.
The Thief on the Cross Changes Everything
Perhaps no person illustrates God’s grace more beautifully than the thief hanging beside Jesus.
He had no opportunity to reform his life.
He could not be baptized.
He could not join a church.
He could not perform good works.
He could not make restitution.
He simply turned to Jesus in faith.
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” — Luke 23:42 (KJV)
Jesus answered,
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43 (KJV)
Why?
Because salvation has never been earned.
It has always been received.
Salvation Is God’s Gift
The Apostle Paul explains it plainly:
“For 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.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
Again, he writes,
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” — Titus 3:5 (KJV)
If salvation could be earned by being a good person, Christ would not have needed to die.
The cross itself declares that our works could never pay for our sins.
Jesus paid the debt that we could never pay.
Jesus Gave One of the Most Sobering Warnings in the Bible
Perhaps the most frightening passage in Scripture is found in Matthew 7.
Jesus said,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
Notice what these people point to.
They do not deny Christ.
Instead, they present their religious accomplishments.
“Have we not prophesied in thy name?… and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22, KJV)
But Jesus replies,
“I never knew you: depart from me…” — Matthew 7:23 (KJV)
He did not say,
“I once knew you.”
He said,
“I never knew you.”
Their confidence rested in what they had done rather than in what Christ had done.
That is a warning every religious person should consider carefully.
The Question That Matters
One day each of us will stand before God.
On that day, He will not ask,
“Were you better than your neighbors?”
He will not ask,
“Did you belong to the right church?”
He will not ask,
“How much money did you donate?”
The question is far more personal.
Did you know Jesus Christ?
Not merely know about Him.
Not simply attend church.
Not just admire His teachings.
But place your complete trust in His death, burial, and resurrection as the only payment for your sins, and be born again through faith in Him.
A Final Thought
Followers of Jesus Christ should love others, serve others, forgive others, and live lives that honor Him.
But good works are the result of salvation—they are never the cause of it.
The greatest mistake a person can make is believing that goodness is enough.
The greatest decision a person can make is placing all of their faith in Jesus Christ alone.
If your hope of heaven rests upon your own goodness, your church membership, your religious ceremonies, or your works, Jesus lovingly invites you to place that confidence where it belongs—on Him alone.
For only Christ can do what no good person ever could.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” — Acts 16:31 (KJV)
It is my prayer that all of you will see the importance of trusting in Jesus Christ, and having faith in His atoning sacrifice, and believing that His sacrifice was ENOUGH, COMPLETE, and requires nothing else for salvation. If you have not yet become “Born Again” I invite you to study tht process in the New Testament.
Do this TODAY!!!!!! Yes, it is THAT IMPORTANT! It could very well be the difference in Jesus rescuing you in the Rapture, or leaving you behind to face the final 7-year tribulation period on earth.
It saddens me that many of us were taught the “wrong” gospel of Jesus Christ, and have placed all of our spiritual success on our own works, rather than accepting the atonement as “All That Is Necessary for Our Salvation.” This indeed was satan’s greatest lie and deception, as he infiltrated religions who claimed that they had the only TRUTH of the gospel. I see very clearly now how this deception takes us away from the One Very Important Truth that Jesus Christ taught…”Ye must be Born Again.”
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3 (KJV)
And again, the most difficult part for me is to realize just how many people have no idea that Jesus doesn’t know them. They are trusting their church, and in their own good works for salvation, rather than in His atonement FULLY!
I go to bed many nights with sorrow in my heart for so many people I know and love whom I believe have become entangled in teachings that have drawn their focus away from the simple gospel Jesus Christ taught. I have prayed for them, studied for them, written for them, and spoken with them. In trying to share what I believe Scripture teaches, I have even lost some of the close relationships I once treasured. That loss has been painful, but my desire has always been the same—that they come to know Jesus Christ personally.
Yet I find great comfort when I read what the Bible says about God’s plan during the Tribulation. Although many may miss the Rapture, I believe the terrible events of that time will cause countless people to search the Scriptures with fresh eyes. When every earthly source of confidence is shaken, many hearts may finally become humble enough to seek Christ alone and be born again by placing their complete faith in His finished atonement. What years of discussion could not accomplish, the trials of that period may bring about through God’s mercy.
I believe many who once trusted primarily in religious systems will begin asking questions they had never dared to ask before. They may discover that no church stands between them and the Savior, that no religious leader can replace the guidance of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, and that every teaching should be measured against Scripture. They may come to see that salvation is received by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ—not earned through religious performance, ordinances, or personal merit.
I believe many will no longer feel compelled to place any man above the words of Christ. They may no longer believe that loyalty to an institution is the same as loyalty to the Savior. They may discover that eternal life is found in knowing Jesus Christ personally, not merely belonging to a particular religion. They may find freedom in understanding that forgiveness is a gift purchased completely by Christ, that His sacrifice was sufficient, and that no additional work can add to what He accomplished on the cross.
Perhaps, for the first time, they will read Jesus’ own words without filtering them through the teachings of others. They may discover the joy of a direct relationship with their Savior, the assurance that comes from being born again, and the peace of knowing that salvation rests entirely upon His finished work.
That is my prayer—not only for my friends in the Latter-day Saint faith, but for every religious person who is trusting in anything or anyone more than Jesus Christ. My hope is that every person will come to know Him as He revealed Himself in Scripture and experience the freedom that He promised:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (KJV)
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” — John 3:7 (KJV)
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