Then they asked Him (Jesus), “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God (revealed at the end of this article)…” (John 6:28-29a).
They asked Jesus a good question! What are the works of God? Which works meet His approval? What actions can we take to reach heaven?
As I write this in October 2025, news reports are covering the story of a man who is uncertain whether he has done enough to earn the right to go to heaven when he faces judgment after death. However, he believes that his current actions will save thousands of lives, and he hopes this will tip the scales in his favor.
What does the Bible say about this? Can we do enough good works to enter heaven? No, the Bible teaches that we cannot reach heaven through even our best human efforts.
“We all are as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags;
and we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
We are all bound by sin. Our efforts are flawed and cannot help us gain access to heaven.
Many people argue that God has given us commandments to follow. They ask, “Doesn’t God judge us worthy of heaven if we’ve perfectly kept His Law? What does the Bible say about this?
“For if there had been a law given which could have given life, righteousness would indeed come through the Law. But the Scripture has confined all things under sin…” (Galatians 3:21-22a).
No, keeping the Law doesn’t help us get to heaven either. Someone may ask, “What if I keep all the commandments perfectly?” No, not even then. The Bible tells us the purpose of the Law:
“What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed (the Savior, Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made” (Galatians 3:19).
The Law demonstrates that we all fall short of God’s standards. Regardless of how good our actions may appear, they’re not sufficient in the eyes of God. This shows us that we cannot achieve salvation on our own; God gave us the Law to point us to our Savior, Jesus (the purpose of the Law revealed):
“(So) that the promise through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22b).
Believing solely in Jesus’ Name is what gives us access to heaven. This promise eliminates any human boasting about being good enough to earn our way there. Even acts as noble as saving lives, while commendable, don’t bring us any closer to heaven after we die.
We rest in Jesus’ finished work – plus nothing! We cease our efforts and cast our fate into His loving arms.
Thus, Jesus responded ironically to those who asked Him how to perform God’s works.
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29b).
