James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Nearly all religions declare that the only way to Heaven is by being good and trying to keep the law. Interestingly, people all over the world have a similar understanding of what is right and wrong. This is true whether or not that religion claims to be based on the Bible or not.
God’s Book – the Bible – makes it clear that it is not possible to go to Heaven by being good. This is because no individual can keep the Ten Commandments perfectly.
The reason nobody can get to Heaven by being good is because no one has ever kept the Ten Commandments perfectly. Every one of us has broken God’s Law at some time or other. God reveals this truth by telling us: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Another problem is seen when you realize that the 10 commandments are one. It is impossible to break one of them without breaking other ones, too. For example, if you steal (you break Law #7), you have already coveted another man’s goods (you break Law #10), and you have also put yourself in God’s place (you break Law #1) because you think you have the right to declare right from wrong and essentially have become your own god.
Now think with me a minute. If you go before an earthly judge for an offense (big or little does not matter), you can be sure that he or she is not going to ask how many good things have you done. The good works you have done cannot erase the bad things you have done and you will have to pay the penalty.
The same is true with God. Remember that He was there when you sinned and He knows the motive of your heart. He saw every big or little sin you committed and you will be judged for it on that day: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36,37).
Because God cannot overlook sin, it must be paid for one day either by you or by Someone that is without sin – Jesus Christ. You can pay for your own sin forever in Hell if you prefer, but it is a much better and wiser choice to turn from sin to Christ for salvation. He has already paid for all your sin, but you must accept His gift before it will benefit you.
Why not call on Him in prayer right now and ask for His forgiveness because of what Christ has done for you – died on the Cross to pay your penalty. He will forgive any and all sin if you just ask Him too and believe that He can and will. Consider these words from the Lord Jesus: “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).