Virtue Doesn’t Save You For Heaven!

In our world today, we see virtue singling on every corner of the spectrum. We see it in churches and in businesses. We see it in film and theater. We see it lived out in ways that makes sense because of the opportunity that it can provide for people. 

Yet, virtue doesn’t save us.

Rather, virtue saves others from hardship in pain, but there is no redemptive quality for salvation. You’ve heard it said that we are saved for good works and not because of good works. Too often we read the Bible and misunderstand its meaning. James talks about doing good. We find that Jesus did good. Well, actually Jesus is the definition of good. That’s another article for another day.

Today, I want us to understand that virtue, while important plays a role in others, but it should not be a quality promoted within ourselves. We see people posting on social media of how much good they have done. Yet, we know that that is empty in vain. It’s so important for us to realize the context for which virtue matters.

If we say that we do a virtuous act, we are doing it to help another. It does nothing for ourselves. Any credit or glory should be surrendered to God. Of course, it might make us look better to say that we have done good. 

Nevertheless, it means nothing for eternity.

You might say that you will receive a crown of glory based on what you do that is virtuous. I say that it doesn’t matter because in the end, we will lay our crowns down at the feet of Jesus and worship of him alone. If for no reason, but to say our praises to God alone.

Companies promote doing good. Foundations are set up to motivate and reward goodness. It is part of a brand that brings awareness of the quality of an organization. Yet, in my opinion, it is vanity. It means nothing for our personal salvation. 

In fact, virtue should not credit us in any way.

So what’s the point? Well, as Christians we are commanded to do good. As Christians, we are encouraged to be virtuous. The scripture tells us that we should not gloat or brag about any good that we may have accomplished.  

The Bible tells us that we ought to do good but not for ourselves but for others. 

Many think that doing good gains access to heaven. Good works are not the key to heaven. It is not what saves us!  

It is however, what our salvation is for.

We are saved to do good. We are not saved by our good works. Re-read the Bible book, James because you will find that salvation is not what is gained. We may help others find faith by what good we do.

Yet, we are to sow seeds of grace and mercy. 

So, I dare you to do good for someone who does not have the means to repay you. In doing this kind of good you will reap a harvest in God's Kingdom. 

You will also be rewarded for doing good in ways that only heaven can give.