We have been forgiven our sins and justified through faith in the Lord, and furthermore, we have given up many things, expended ourselves, and labored tirelessly for the Lord. I believe this type of faith will allow us to be raptured into the kingdom of heaven. Why do you say that this won’t gain us entry into the heavenly kingdom?
Bible Reference:
“Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity” (Mat 7:21-23).
“But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy” (1Pe 1:15-16).
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).
The Answer from God’s Word:
Before God, is it that easy to be made perfect into a holy one, or a righteous person? It is a truism that “there are no righteous upon this earth, the righteous are not in this world.” When you come before God, consider what you’re wearing, consider your every word and action, all of your thoughts and ideas, and even the dreams that you dream every day—they are all for your own sake. Is this not the true state of affairs? “Righteousness” does not mean giving alms, it does not mean loving your neighbor as yourself, and it does not mean not fighting, arguing, robbing, or stealing. Righteousness means taking God’s commission as your duty and obeying God’s orchestrations and arrangements as a heaven-sent vocation, regardless of the time or place, just like all that was done by the Lord Jesus. This is the very righteousness spoken of by God. That Lot could be called a righteous man is because he saved the two angels sent by God without care for what he gained or lost; what he did at that time can be called righteous, but he cannot be called a righteous man. It was only because Lot had seen God that he gave his two daughters in exchange for the angels. But not all of his behavior in the past represents righteousness, and thus I say that “there are no righteous upon this earth.”
from “The Wicked Must Be Punished” in The Word Appears in the Flesh