The misconception of many people is that they can do something themselves to receive salvation. In other words they feel they can buy, or purchase their salvation themselves even by there good works. Our works should be example of our faith in God, meaning we do good things, because God loves us first, and so we show his love by our works.

Let us look at the scripture a man comes to Jesus seeking salvation. The man calls Jesus good and Jesus said no one is good but God. Then he begins to speak of the ten commandments, and the man says I obeyed the law, then Jesus says one thing you lack sell all you have and give it to the poor and follow me. Most of us would never sell all and give it to the poor. Most of us would never get to a place if we can help it and give it all up to another, but that happens when we die, or it goes to our family or government. No Jesus was not telling the man to die and will everything away. He is talking about his spiritual state. Talking about how his things were more important to him then to help or care for the needs of others. These things will not get us into heaven, but the things a rich man relies on for survival is often treasurers of this world. We all are stuck in this rut so to speak, we all rely on things we see and know that are for our survival. Work is thought to be the answer and it is, but even with work, banks can fail, government can fail and family, neighbors and friends can fail. We try to survive by our own merit. And so the kingdom of God is often thought to be enterable by one's own merit some how, but it can not be, it is by God's grace/love for us.

The only merit we have is faith in God's word, and in his salvation plan through Christ Jesus. Our own merit beyond faith can not get us into heaven. Disciples had left all behind and followed Jesus, but many still had their family and friends. Meaning they had and not really lost what they did give up. Simpler for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter heaven. A rich man own merit is his trust and his need for God lessens, because of his wealth. A camel getting down and crawling through a small door in a wall, though difficult but not totally impossible. The old caravans of camels coming into a city had to go through a small gate, then enter through the wide gate, it was done for the protection of the city. This saying about a camel having trouble going through eye of a needle was an arabic saying. The arab world used more camels in their travel then the Jews did.

Simply no one can enter heaven without leaving all behind, why, because when we die we leave the world behind. Yet our choice is made on faith and not our works or what our hands can buy. It is built on faith and our relationship with God. Truth is our relationship with God is important, God loves us all, but our faith can only come with belief, even the devil believes and trembles, so where is our works it follows our faith, as we learn to walk by the spirit of God in obedience to him. Obeying God's laws is as important. It part of our walk of faith. God's Holy Spirit writes those laws on our hearts as believers when we get saved. God's Spirit corrects us when we sin, before we sin and as we are sinning, to protect us from sinning against God. God's Spirit always helping us learn to yield to Him. If we believe and do his will, we will enter the kingdom of heaven, and not be denied.

Dear Heavenly Father, strengthen our faith in you, help us to realize our works are not our salvation, but salvation comes through belief in Christ Jesus. Help our unbelief. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: James 2:5-24 KJV
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Hebrews 10:13-17 KJV
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.