By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Is Hebrews 12:14 saying that we need to have works and faith to go to heaven?
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Answer: First and foremost the answer is a DEFINITE NO.
Many of those such as John MacArthur and the like THAT TEACH a Lordship (works + faith) based salvation conclude that unless a person’s claim to be a christian is “Backed Up” by what they call “Evidence of Faith” or Works then that person’s claim is questionable at best and probably “Is Not” saved in their estimation.
Hebrews 12:14 is A FAVORITE among those “WHO TEACH” a Works plus Faith salvation.
First TAKE NOTE that the word MEN is italicized and that means that it WAS ADDED by the translators and it was NOT IN the originals, so the verse SHOULD READ as follows…
Follow peace with all and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
To follow Peace with all and Holiness SIMPLY MEANS that “All” (every person) obtains(follow) eternal life all the same way.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
To have PEACE (knowing that they have eternal life – 1 John 5:13) a person must Trust Christ Alone as Saviour believing that he (Jesus Christ) went to the cross to Die and shed his blood, was Buried, and three days later Resurrected from the dead as the payment for their sins.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you (The Bible) that believe on the name of the Son of God (Jesus Christ); that ye may know that ye have eternal life (Through the Authority & Assurance from the Bible), and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
NOTE: Our confirmation of eternal life comes from the Word of God NOT from some classes given at a church (like some do). There is NO confirmation outside of the scriptures.
Romans 5:1 states…
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To have HOLINESS (Declared Righteous or Perfect in the Eyes of God) is gained “Only By” Trusting Christ Alone as Saviour believing that he (Jesus Christ) went to the cross to Die and shed his blood, was Buried, and three days later Resurrected from the dead as the payment for their sins.
2 Corinthians 5:21 states…
For he (God) hath made him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we (you and I) might be made the righteousness of God in him (Jesus Christ).
In Conclusion:
A person that HAS NEVER believed that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to Die and shed his blood, was Buried, and three days later Resurrected from the dead as the payment for their sins WILL NEVER “See the Lord” BECAUSE they do not have the Peace and Holiness that the Lord requires to enter heaven.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH