Can We Work Our Way to Heaven?

By the works of the Law shall no mortal man be justified.  The apostle Paul stated emphatically that if you are seeking to be justified by the Law, you must keep the whole Law.  And of course, it’s humanly impossible to keep the whole Law.

Sin and death through sin entered the world through Adam.  But man was not charged with sin until Moses delivered the Law; for where there is no law, there is no violation.  Why the Law?  We wouldn't have come to know sin except through the Law; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.  I wouldn't have known about coveting if the Law hadn't said, "Thou shalt not covet."  But my sinful passions were aroused and sin taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.  Indeed, the righteous man shall live by faith.     

So faith comes first.  That is faith in Christ Jesus whereby we receive forgiveness of sins, life everlasting, and adoption as sons of God.  It was for freedom that Christ set us free.  We are no longer slaves of sin. We were born into spiritual death through Adam but we are "born again" into spiritual life through Christ.

Then comes works.  We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  We know that we love God and we love our neighbour when we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome.     

However, if anyone sins, our Advocate with God the Father is Jesus Christ the righteous.  For if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.