Romans 2:4 says, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Romans 8:9 says, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Acts 4:10-12 says, “10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

What does it take in order for someone to make it to heaven? So many people believe that it is simply being a good person. But how do you define being good? Some may think that they are good because they have not murdered anyone, or they are not currently in jail. Others believe that they are good because they make it to church once a month, or they have went a whole day without cursing. In so many cases, being good is up to each individual’s biased opinion. It reminds me of how in the Old Testament that in the time when prophets and judges overseen the nation of Israel that every man believed that they were right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Needless to say, although everyone believes that their opinions are fully correct, opinions do not define truth. What defines truth is the Word of God!

Being good is not following a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”, but it is about being like Christ. What truly makes a person good is the Spirit of Christ residing inside a bodily temple, for without the Spirit of God, none can truly belong to God as one of His children. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ, believing and showing that faith in our daily walk, that allows us to be saved and obtain eternal life. Once someone makes the decision to fully serve God, dedicating and committing their lives to Him, he or she will encounter the goodness of God, and it is that goodness that truly changes one’s life forever!

One thing that the riches of God’s goodness will do is that it will lead an individual to repentance. His goodness, which consists of the combination of God’s love, justice, and holiness, enlightens us to our sinful attitude, actions, and desires, exposing them so that it will bring us to the understanding of how empty we are without the Spirit of God working within and through us. It shows us our need for His goodness, bringing us to a place of repentance. Repentance is not merely apologizing, but it is turning around from the old life one use to live so that he or she can become more like Christ. That is not something that can be achieved simply in human flesh, but it can solely be done by submitting to the authority of the Spirit of God, allowing Him to direct our lives! That is what makes all of the difference, both in this life and in eternity!