Why Good Deeds Aren’t the Ticket — and What the Bible Actually Says About Salvation
President Trump has repeated his quip about going to Heaven to the press pool on Air Force One, on the White House lawn, and several news channels: “I’m being a little cute. I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in Heaven…I think I’m not maybe, Heaven-bound…I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make Heaven…” He seems conflicted.
Noting wars that might not have occurred, Trump claimed millions would be alive had he remained president for eight consecutive years. Putin admitted as much to the Moscow Times: “I can’t help but agree that if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020, the crisis in Ukraine might not have emerged in 2022.”
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Trump said of ending the Ukraine war: “If I can get to Heaven, this will be one of the reasons why…” Heaven and good works are a constant theme for the president. Is he alone in believing good deeds earn Heaven? Unfortunately, no. Religious pollster George Barna reports that 52% of self-described Christians believe good works will earn them Heaven. According to Gallup, that’s over 100 million Americans.
Responding to questions about his Heaven remark, Trump said, “I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people…” Is bettering humanity the ticket to Heaven? Romans 14:12 says, “every individual will give an account to God.” Who gets into Heaven and why? Trump may be confused by philosophy, wars ended or Nobel Peace Prizes, but do those earn us Heaven? What makes one a Christian?
There are four possible reasons Trump expressed doubts about his salvation: 1. He is not truly saved; 2. He’s trolling those who despise him, anyway; 3. He is a ‘baby’ Christian, a believer but who doesn’t understand the assurance one has in Christ; or 4. He’s actually calling out for spiritual help and direction.
He’s commander in chief, not pastor in chief. I believe what he’s said about his decision to accept Christ, but only God knows Trump’s heart.
The Old and New Testaments say, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). By that measure — calling on God — is Donald Trump a born-again Christian? The late Dr. James Dobson and Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist, Dallas, told me they led Donald Trump in prayer to receive Jesus as Savior. I was at the NRB conference when candidate Trump said, “I’m a believer. I believe John 3:16…”
Is belief enough? Jesus Himself said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, emphasis added). Notice, He did not say all who are good enough, or all who believe and do everything on this list. Scripture says, “All who believe in Christ are children of God” (John 1:12).
Is Trump perfect? Thank God that’s not the standard, or none of us qualify. Do peace deals make him better, or tweets make him worse? If you’re not a public figure, no one keeps track, so let’s take the simplest measure: How many lies make you a liar? How many thefts make you a thief? How bad is too bad is no more accurate than how good is good enough? Trump’s good won’t get him in, and our bad won’t keep us out because salvation is not based on deeds, Donald Trump’s or mine; it is based on Jesus alone.
Heaven is not an award; it is a gift. “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus told the Samaritan woman she needed only to ask (John 4:10). Many unknown men and women will be in Heaven because they believed and asked. Many well-known altruists will be in hell because they did not (Matthew 7:21). Salvation is not based on us; it’s based on God’s love. God loves everyone and offers salvation to all, terrorists and philanthropists: “Whosoever will may come” (John 7:37).
We call ourselves “believers” for a reason, because belief is sufficient. We could not afford Heaven, so God made it free. Our bad (sin) far outweighs our good, so God forgives sin; “through Jesus’ blood we have forgiveness” (Ephesians 1:7).
God is the final authority on salvation, not Trump haters or MAGA members. Only belief in Christ gets anyone into Heaven. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). To President Trump, my email is Alex@AlexMcFarland.com. I’m available anywhere, anytime, to explain what the Bible says about knowing for sure you are saved.
Dr. Alex McFarland is an apologetics evangelist who has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is heard live on “Exploring the Word,” airing daily on 200+ radio stations across the country. “The Alex McFarland Show” airs weekly on NRBTV, providing Biblically faithful TV and discussion on current events affecting our nation. His newest book, “100 Bible Questions and Answers on Prophecy and the End Times,” is available now.
