How Holy Is Your God?

The question must be asked, "How holy is your God?"

Will your God accept your good works as merit toward your place in heaven?

What kind of good works does he require?

How many good works are enough to earn your eternal reward in heaven?

What happens if you die and you have not done enough?

These are hard questions that you must answer if this is the level of holiness your God maintains.

However, did you know that the God of the Bible is way more holy than what is described above?

He is so holy that He won't accept our good works at all. The Bible tells us the following:

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

God is so holy and just that our own works are viewed by him as filthy rags. If you were to go to the car lot to buy a new car and you offered the salesman a bag full of filthy rags in payment, he would laugh you off the lot. When we think that we can come to God and offer up our own good works as payment for our sins and a place in heaven with Him, it's the same as offering Him a bag full of filthy rags. God will say, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

We must come to God on His terms, not our own.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

This is the work of God.

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is only through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we can be made right with God. His work on our behalf is the only work that God will accept as payment for our sin and entrance into heaven. God demands perfect obedience, and perfect work and Jesus did both on our behalf because God knew we could not attain it. We are commanded to simply apply His work to our lives and believe on Him for salvation.

How holy is your God? Does your God accept your good works, but then leave you wondering what kind, how many and if you have done enough or has your God already provided a way through the perfect sacrifice and work of Jesus Christ? One way leads to rejection by Him and the other leads to acceptance by Him. Which way do you choose? The way of your own good works or the way of Jesus Christ's perfect work on your behalf?