There are multitudes of people who have these balances in view, regarding eternal life, salvation, and heaven. This seems to be the predominant view as far as the rich and famous are concerned and comes out often in the news of their death. A long list of their accomplishments are given, none of which honor God, but rather exalt man – all wood, hay, and stubble. This position is held among some in the Christian churches but is almost universal among those outside the church. You probably have friends that hold this doctrine. The belief is that you are weighed in the balances and your good works are on one side and your evil works on the other. If your good works out-weigh the bad, then you will be in heaven, and if not you will be in hell. Most people think they have done more good than bad and are therefore “safe.” This comes from pride and arrogance, both of which would go on the bad side of the scales. The Mayor of NYC has recently made bold statements about how high up the chain of command he would be in heaven, “if there is a heaven,” he said. Regulating every aspect of people’s lives as a ruler over them seems good to him. Giving city funds to support abortion clinics, and allowing them to operate rent free in government buildings is a good thing in his eyes. He is among a great number of elites that think this way, but they have shock and awe awaiting them.
Those of you who have had any instruction from the Bible or have read the Bible, have no doubt learned that eternal live does not come because of one’s works but by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. This would be a shock for those counting on their works to save them. They would be further surprised to know that God has rejected their “good” works because they glorify man and not God. Isaiah 64:6 describes the good of man apart from God: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” He is not describing the wickedness of man but rather the natural man at his very best, doing his best works. God’s view of man in this condition is radically different from man’s view.
This theme is set forth early (Gen. 4) and continues throughout Scripture. God does not accept every offering made to Him. “And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.” It was not only the offering but Cain himself was rejected by God. Down through the generations this has been true and is the case today. God has no respect toward man and their good works when done to present a show to the world. Men of the world will honor you, but in the eyes of God it is all filthy.
Are we then to reject good works? Absolutely not. God has ordained us that we should maintain good works. (Eph. 2:10, Mt. 5:16, Acts 9:36, I Tim. 6:18, II Tim. 3:17, Tit. 2:7 & 14, 3:8 & 14, Heb. 10:24, I Pet. 2:12) With an abundance of scriptures encouraging good works, there must be a difference in these for them to be accepted of God as with Abel and his offering. The difference with Abel and his offering was that of the blood, seen first in the animals slain by God to cover his parents, Adam and Eve. Abel learned what the subsequent chapters teach, that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. The very best works of the hands of Cain caused both him and his offering to be rejected.
There is something more regarding maintaining good works, rejected by many, but Bible teaches it none-the-less. Only the saved by the grace of God will give account to God of the deeds (works) done in the body. Salvation is “not of works lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:9), but works are important. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Cor. 5:10) [Ecc. 12:14, I Cor. 3:14, Rev. 2:23, 22:12] This judgment seat is not to judge for sins but an accounting of how you have run the Christian race.
We will not have to give account of sins for they are all covered by the blood of Jesus on the cross. We are not working our way to heaven, and we are not tipping the scales in our favor for salvation. You have already been weighed in the balances and are found wanting. You can’t work your way out. “Salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9)