Question: How do I help people understand that they can’t earn their way to Heaven?

Answer: Start by clearly explaining that no one is perfect. We have all sinned. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (NKJV).  Our sin separates us from God in Heaven, who is holy. That's why we all need a savior. And God's desire is that none perish, so He made the way for us to go to Heaven. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) 

Since the punishment for our sin before a righteous God is death, Jesus Christ, God's only Son, was sent by God to save us. Jesus Christ, Himself sinless, died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sin! He rose to life again on the third day to go live with our Father in Heaven. He sacrificed Himself for us!  

All that is left for each of us to do is to accept Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord and Savior.  We need to pray and ask Jesus to forgive us of all our sins, and we need to repent of our sins.  In making this change, we should no longer seek to live only to please ourselves. Instead, our desire should be to want to please God first by loving Him and following the teachings of His Holy Word, the Bible! The Apostle Paul describes this change as putting off "the old man" and putting on "the new man."  (Read Ephesians 4:17-32)

Even though through His grace, God has provided us with His free gift of salvation, most people still choose to reject His Gift. Many people prefer to live by their own rules and foolishly think that they can decide on their own what are the right and wrong ways to live. Others mistakenly believe that there are many gods and many ways to Heaven.  But, the truth is that God has provided only ONE way to everlasting life in Heaven. And that way is by accepting His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Jesus Christ, Himself said, "...I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)  Can it be stated any clearer than that?

Still, many people will try to change God's plan for salvation to make it sound more complicated.  They might make salvation sound like it is for people who must live without any joy in their lives. This tends to make the young  postpone or outright reject salvation because they think they won't have any more "fun" in their lives. But they need to know the truth.  If by fun they mean sinful living, they will be living only to please Satan. Satan's ultimate goal is to harm you. Jesus said, "The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10)

Also, this false teaching that you must already be living righteously to accept Christ can make the older unsaved feel that it is too late for them. This is not true!  In fact, as long as you are alive and in your right mind, you can choose to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior!  But since you can die at any age from many different causes, it's better to accept Christ sooner than waiting until it is too late!  Once you die, you don't come back. There are no second chances.

And, as far as trying to earn your way to Heaven, put simply, you can't!  Because you are not perfect like God you will mess up or fail to do right --at least sometimes. Plus, you could never do enough good deeds or man-made rituals (superstitious actions never given by God) to earn your way to Heaven.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

So stop letting excuses stand in your way. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today! Pray for God's Holy Spirit to guide you as you live by putting Him first. And Enjoy your new life in Christ!