Question:  So, you're telling me I have to work/earn my way into Heaven?

Answer:  Yes and no.  Let me explain.  From a human perspective, the answer is yes, because doing/keeping the Commandments of Jesus seems like working/earning your way into Heaven.  Taking care of the poor, giving away your hard earned money to the less fortunate, visiting convicts in prison, just to name a few of the 50 Commandments of Jesus, is "work".  It takes effort on your part and sacrifice, and it takes time, a lot of time.

From God's perspective, the answer is NO!  Why?  Because the Will of God (the 50 Commandments of Jesus) is/are all about love and righteousness.  All of the Commandments of Jesus are all acts of love and righteousness.  Let me explain.  When you feed and clothe the poor, you are performing an act of love from God's perspective!  As human beings, we define "love" as an intense feeling of affection for another; your spouse, your children, etc.  God's definition of "love" is different, very different.  Jesus said, "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).  From God's perspective, every time you "do" one of Jesus's Commandments, you are demonstrating love towards God or your neighbor (Matthew 22:37, 39).  For example, Matthew 5:42, "....from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away".  When someone asks you for money, you are to give it to him/her, especially if it's someone that you know is in financial trouble.  You are showing "love" towards this person and you are acting in a "righteous" manner, from God's perspective.

After studying my book, "THE WORDS of JESUS" along with your Bible, and memorizing His (Jesus') words, and taking them into yourself; you will begin to see things differently.  You will begin to think like Jesus.  Your perspective will change.  You will begin to see things as God sees them.  You will gain insight into many things.  Your perspective on life, death, the world, love, sin; on everything, will change, as God prepares you to live with Him forever in Heaven.  You are not on this planet to find happiness or self- fulfillment, you are here to pass/fail a test, to learn to be a son or daughter of God.  If you succeed, you enter into eternal life (Heaven), if you fail, you will end up in the Judgment and die there (eternal death).

[SUMMARY]  Do we "work/earn" our way into Heaven?  Yes, from a human perspective; but from God's perspective, the answer is NO!  Remember Matthew 22:37, 39; Jesus says "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart..." and "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself".  Every time you "do" a commandment of Jesus, you are demonstrating love towards God and towards your neighbor (other human beings).  The 50 Commandments of Jesus (Will of God) are designed to change you into a son or daughter of God.  It's just that simple!  Only sons or daughters of God, are allowed into the house of God (Heaven) John 8:32-35.

2.

  Question:  Are we not saved by "grace"?  (Ephesians 2:8)

Answer:  The word "grace" is an old testament term, found in 12 different books in the Old Testament, starting in Genesis 6:8.  Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was a Pharisee and new the old testament very well.  When you read the epistles (letters) that Paul wrote, you will notice that all of his references to Scripture are from the Old Testament.  Because he wasn't a disciple of Jesus, he was at a real disadvantage when it came to proclaiming the "Gospel" (good news).  Paul did the best he could with the little knowledge he had about Jesus.

Paul writes things that are in agreement with the "words and sayings" of Jesus, like 1Corinthians ch.13, ( the love chapter) and he writes things that are not in agreement with the words of Jesus (Romans 3:22-27 and Ephesians 2:8, 9).

During Jesus' three year ministry, Paul probably heard Jesus preach in the Temple (Jerusalem) or in the countryside, and the Holy Spirit probably helped Paul to remember some of the things Jesus said.

The word "grace" means "unmerited favor".  Does God have "grace" towards us?  Absolutely!  We are all sinners, and deserve eternal death.  We don't deserve to be saved (go to Heaven), but God loves us so much, He sent Jesus to die for our sins.  Paul said in Ephesians 1:7, "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Unfortunately,  Paul was rejected by most of the Christians because of his past deeds as Saul of Tarsus (torturing and murdering Christians),therefore, he ended up creating his own gospel as he traveled to other countries and regions.

[SUMMARY]  We are saved by our belief in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).  Once you make the decision to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, then you must believe the things Jesus says, the 50 Commandments of Jesus (Will of God) and start doing them.

Purchase my book, so you can understand the words of Jesus, the Will of God (the 50  Commandments of Jesus).  God bless you!