Let's get one common misconception cleared. Doing good works will NOT get you into Heaven.
God does not demand good works and good deeds in order to get into Heaven. He does not demand that we give more in the collection plate on Sundays, or continuous repetitive prayers like the Rosary, or lighting candles beside statues and laying flowers. He is not diminished in any sense if we do not do these things. He is not found wanting or weakened if we withhold these good deeds.
But we should do them all the same. We do good deeds to honour God, to show Him respect and love, and because He commanded us to love one another.
We don't do good deeds as a down-payment to entering Heaven. God cannot be bought.
We don't do good deeds in exchange for favours and answers to our prayers. God does not bargain with us.
We do good deeds because He asked us to.
When Jesus walked this earth He performed many miracles. Every miracles He performed was for the benefit of someone else. It was not to show off His power, omnipotence or superiority. It was so that God, His Father and ours, is glorified.
And God raised Him from the dead so that Jesus is glorified and to prove He is the Son of God.
That's what the miracles were about.
Let our good deeds be our own, small, miracles to one another. Just as He commanded.
I so agree, Victor, that our good works cannot get us into heaven and that's not why we should do them. We should long to be more like Jesus and be His hands and feet in this hurting world. Blessings, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanx Martha. I feel (believe) that a lot of Catholics believe that a lot of prayers, candles and flowers will by themselves get them into Heaven. "If you do this for me God, I'll do this in return!"
DeleteGod does not make bargains with us - apart from John 3:16. We should do good works because He commanded us to love one another - like Jesus did/does.
God bless you, Martha.
...when I went to Sunday school 70 years ago, doing good deeds is what I learned. I'm still trying to do my best.
ReplyDeleteYes Tom, we should do good deeds. But beware of our motives. We do good deeds because we love God and He commanded that we love one another. We don't do good deeds to stamp our passport entry into Heaven. God cannot be bought.
DeleteGod bless.
opening with: We don't do good deeds as a down-payment to entering Heaven. God cannot be bought.
ReplyDeleteWE do them because HIS life taught us. VERY GOOD entry my friend. If we believe in Him, WE WILL do good works..
Love your thinking my friend, even your witty mind can be serious... TAke care and thanks again as always....
Thank you for your support and friendship, Jack. It is much appreciated.
DeleteMany people believe that good deeds alone will get us into Heaven. This is false belief.
Many non-believers do good deeds. Some don't even believe in God and openly talk against the very existence of God.
We do good deeds because we love God and we obey His commandment to love one another.
God bless.
What a clear and thoughtful reflection on faith and action. I appreciate how you emphasize that good works are not a currency to earn Heaven, but a way to honor God and serve others in love. Your reminder that even small acts of kindness can be miracles to those around us is both practical and inspiring it encourages us to live out our faith in tangible ways each day. I would be glad if you took a moment to read my latest posts as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melody. Indeed, good works are not a currency to be traded as an entry to Heaven. God does not sell tickets to enter Heaven. Entrance is free and open to everyone - if we accept His invitation !!!
DeleteGod bless you.
It's a wonderful morning Victor.... I think the LOVE in our hearts is what compels us to do good for others. Serving other is serving God. Most definitely it is important to tithe and it is also important to give. I think of tithes as what is God's and giving extra comes from the depth of our hearts. Blessings today for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's very well put, Shug: Serving others is serving God. Amen to that; I agree.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
Be kind and helpful to one another ...
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Sunday Victor.
All the best Jan
Thank you so much, Jan. God bless.
DeleteWe are not saved by good works BUT to do good works. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen K. God bless you.
DeleteNice explanation and a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill. God bless.
DeleteAmen! Our guest pastor this morning reminded us, "Church" is not these four walls, but what we -- its members go out in community and do for others in whatever capacity we're able.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from your pastor, Mevely. We do the same in our church - we have the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. They visit the elderly and housebound, provide a free taxi service to the doctor's or hospital appointments, or for Mass in church every week, and they hold afternoon tea and cakes meetings where they invite guest speakers to provide advice for the elderly or to entertain them with quiz games, bingo and so on. They also do a soup run to feed the homeless.
DeleteGod bless.
I'm sure I will get some slack about my comment. In my opinion I feel a so called heaven is only tempory. Why and how long we stay there is how we looked at the concept of time.
ReplyDeleteIf we love Him, we want to care for others because He loves them, too.
ReplyDelete