Many people today are teaching that one can receive eternal life from God in a variety of ways as long as he is sincere in his beliefs. In other words, sincerity is the key to life. This is a pleasant thought and can provide a certain level of false security until we realize that nowhere else in this world is sincerity the basis for determining reality. Have you ever made a wrong turn with all sincerity and still ended at the wrong destination?
The problem with this philosophy is that it doesn’t agree with the teachings of the Bible. Man has been rebelling against God since the time of creation. He has always attempted to solve his problems by his own abilities. Now, however, he faces the supreme question. How can he know for certain that he has eternal life?
First, we need to understand that eternal life can never be earned by human good works no matter how sincere the seeker. Listen to what the Bible says about man’s works. “All of our righteous acts are like filthy rags,” Isaiah 64.6. “There is none righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:28; “He (Christ) saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:5.
Second, it must be understood that eternal life is a gift from God. As in any gift, it is free to us but very costly to God. Scripture again informs us of this fact. “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23; “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8; “Let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Revelations 22:17.
Next, we see that the person who desires to receive eternal life must find it in only one place. That is in the person of Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6. Speaking of Jesus, Peter said, “‘There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10. John is emphatic when he writes, “He who has the Son has life; but he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:12.
In closing, we are forcefully struck with the message that eternal life is never due to personal good works. Eternal life can never be purchased in any way, it is entirely a free gift. The cost of this gift is the death of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The gift of eternal life is available to anyone who, after recognizing his own sinfulness, places his or her personal faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior.
