You see, my friend, if salvation could be obtained by being good, or by doing good, then much of the Bible would be a lie – and the Son of God did not need to come and die on the cross for sinners. It would also imply that God made His own Son to suffer needlessly. Of course, that would be nonsense.

The truth is that if Christ had not come and died for us then no one could go to Heaven!

Here are five Bible-based reasons why good works – even religious ones – cannot save you or me:

1. Because Good Works Cannot Pay for Sins Already Committed

Because God had decreed that the “wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23) referring to Hell, it is not possible to pay that severe sentence and still go to Heaven. This is why only Christ could pay that penalty for us – making it necessary for Him to come.

2. Because Good Works Cannot Erase Any Sin

Doing good deeds – even religious ones, will not erase past guilt. Ask any judge if good behavior makes it unnecessary to have to answer for crimes committed in the past. Our own society thinks it a foolish idea.

Here is what the Bible declares about how sin is erased:

• “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (“remission” means payment for) (Hebrews 9:22).
• “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:25).

This verse plainly reveals that the blood of Christ is necessary to pay for the sins of the past, present, and future.

3. Because Good Works Cannot Change What You Are

Every one commits sin because it is what we are – sinners; which is what the Bible confirms in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” It is why everyone needs a new nature – which God gives to the new believer at the moment of salvation:

• “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).
• “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15).

Being Jewish or non-Jewish will never save anyone by itself – we all need a Savior.

4. Because God Cannot Accept Good Works

God is a perfect Judge and will never corrupt justice. If He let unrepentant sinners go unpunished for their sins – then He is not just. It is why good works will never save anyone. He only wants us to believe on His Son and receive the complete salvation – and pardon that He offers.

• “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses” (good works) “are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

5. Because Good Works Cannot Bring Honor and Glory to God

People who do good works often usually desire to be recognized for them. The only thing that God wants is for sinners to recognize what He did for us by sending His Son to die for us and pay our penalty – because He loved us and we could not save ourselves.

• “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:27,28).
• “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).

God’s Word declares that good works will never save anyone. The good news is that God has already performed the only work needed through Christ that you need to receive to be accepted by a holy God.

Since your good works cannot save you, the only thing left for you to do is to believe on the One He sent to pay for all our sins. Why not call on Him today for forgiveness of sin and salvation? He has promised: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Afterwards, live for Him out of gratitude with all your heart.