Heaven: Earned or Given? – August 26, 2026
Read: Romans 10:5-13
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim. Romans 10:5-8
Heaven: Earned or Given?
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In some religions, the goal isn’t to live forever with God in heaven; the goal is to reach something called “enlightenment.” People may spend years following special teachings, meditating, and giving up comforts as they search for peace and freedom from suffering. Achieving enlightenment can require a lifetime of effort.
According to Buddhist tradition, the man who became known as the Buddha searched for enlightenment for years. At one point, he ate almost nothing and practiced extreme self-denial for six years. He spent long nights meditating and resisting temptations. Finally, Buddhists believe that he reached enlightenment. In Buddhism, reaching the goal depends on following a long, hard path of discipline and understanding.
The Bible tells us that we don’t need to find enlightenment; our greatest need is to be righteous before God. “Righteous” means being completely right and perfect in the eyes of the true God, the perfect maker of heaven and earth. If it were up to us, that would be impossible work! Paul writes, “The person who does these things,” that is, the person who follows all of God’s righteous commands, “will live by them” (Romans 10:5). To earn life by obeying God’s righteous commands, you would have to love God and every person perfectly—every second of your life. But we haven’t. We disobey, complain, speak selfishly, and think sinful thoughts. No one on earth can make themselves righteous, no matter how hard they try. God’s law makes no mistakes and allows no do-overs.
That’s why God revealed another way. Not an enlightenment or righteousness that comes through your hard work, but a righteousness that comes by God’s work. You don’t have to go up to heaven to get it. You don’t have to dig down into the earth to find it. You don’t need to go without food for six years and hope you realize it. This righteousness comes to you!
Paul writes, “‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim” (Romans 10:8). The righteousness that God gives us isn’t something you earn through hard work; it’s something God announces in his Word and gives us through faith. The message is this: Christ did all the hard work to earn for you all the happiness, peace, and perfection you could ever need. It was hard work—Jesus died on the cross to earn this for us.
You do not need to climb high enough to reach Jesus. You do not need to dig deeply enough to find him. You do not need to work hard enough to earn his love. Jesus came all the way to you. Through parents, pastors, teachers, and other Christians, God has brought his saving message across the world and into your ears and heart.
The Word is near you. The work is done. Believe it!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you have brought the message of salvation to the ends of the Earth, and to me. Strengthen my trust in you and all you have done for me. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Can we earn heaven by trying to be extra good?
- Paul says, “The word is near you” (Romans 10:8). That’s so true! Find the nearest Bible in your home.
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- What does “righteous” mean? Why can’t we make ourselves righteous?
- How would you answer someone who said, “I have to be good enough before God will love me”?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- Martin Luther wrote, “The law says, ‘Do this,’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘Believe in this,’ and everything is already done.” What does that statement mean?
- Paul says that we do not need to bring Christ down from heaven or up from the dead. What has God already done for us?
