Trying to be a good person in order to go to heaven is the Scriptural equivalent of "relying upon works of the law." In other words, trying to be a good person or believing that you are a good (or good enough) person to get into "a better place" when you die.
But look what the Bible says about playing that game...
Galatians 3:10-13
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”
If you make "being a good person" the standard, then you are under a curse. You are under a curse because anyone who says, "I'm good" has to comply perfectly with every standard and measurement of goodness. To be out of alignment on any one standard is to be out of complete alignment, ergo, "not good."
The Bad News is that we are all cursed because we aren't good enough.
The Good News is that Jesus took the curse we deserved onto Himself.
And that is the ONLY way to be saved and find eternal life now in your remaining days on earth and into eternity where you will spend forever.
Galatians 3:21-22
If a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Total depravity (Scripture imprisoning everything under sin) guarantees that we can't achieve life by doing works of the law. In other words, if it weren't for sin, we could live the life God put us on mission to live. But because of sin, we fall short of what we were created for and fall short of our intended target every time, in many ways.
Which is why salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. There is no other way to be good or hear, "well done" from God the Father. If there was any other way to achieve eternal success, Jesus came and died for nothing. His death has excessive. In that scenario, the world just needed a pep talk and a can-do attitude.
Galatians 2:20-21
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
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