Salvation by Faith, Not Works

Some religions teach that you must be good and do good deeds in order to be saved from eternal damnation in hell or move onto a better future life.  In other words, being good or doing good is the main way to get into heaven.  This belief probably comes from studying the Old Testament laws and guidelines of the covenant with God.  However, this is not what is reflected in the New Testament.   If doing good is all that is required, then Jesus did not need to come to earth, train disciples, and die on the cross.  Jesus Christ is the new covenant between God and humans, through Him we have a new kind of relationship with God.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

Grace is God's unbounding love that he gives freely to us.  He created us so that He could share and show that love.  It is because of that grace that He sent Christ, God's son to die for our sins.  Salvation from our sins comes through believing in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins and accepting His redemption to gain eternal life with Him.  It is by our faith that we gain our way into Heaven, not by anything else that we may do while on earth.  Being good, showing goodness, and doing good are a reflection of Christian living.  However, we should be doing good deeds because we are faithful Christians following Christ's example.