Everyone from a young age is taught to "be good" either to get a reward for good behavior or simply to avoid punishment, but you have been thinking, What is being good?
We qualify a person as "good" when we see in them virtues and correct actions, and a person as "bad" when he performs actions that harm those around him.
There are people who have an admirable lifestyle! They help others, they are volunteers in social services, they are correct and upright in their walk, they are good people! But is that enough to go to Heaven?
Let's see what God says:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 NKJV
The word "ALL" includes the good guys and the bad guys! Sin unfortunately is part of our human nature. Lying, stealing, coveting, cheating, are some sins that we have accepted and practiced naturally in our lives! therefore, it is not enough to be good to go to Heaven!
Yes, we know that God is love and he loves us all equally, but God abhors sin, goes against the Holy, Perfect and Just Nature of God. that is why no sinner can go to heaven!
So can someone go to Heaven?
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23 NKJV
Sin has a price and that is death (an eternity away from God) but there is salvation and that is in JESUS CHRIST!
None of us is able to live free from sin, so, God commanded Jesus so that He would fulfill all the Law and live as it is right. Jesus lived without any sin and died for the payment of our sins (past and present) if you believe this and accept the salvation that Jesus Christ gives you, you are forgiven and God gives you the quality of Son! He no longer sees your sin, He sees the holiness of Christ! You can go to Heaven and enjoy an eternity with God!
Is it good to be good?
"The life of the good is light that fills with joy; the life of the wicked is an extinguished
lamp " Proverbs 13: 9 TLA
Of course we must be good, but with the right motivation! Do not look good anymore to go to heaven, because that does not depend on your behavior, but on your decision to accept Jesus Christ or not. Be good at reflecting the love of Christ and preaching the message of salvation!
"Bring all who recognize me as their God, because I have created them for my glory. It was I who formed them "» Isaiah 43: 7 NLT
It does not depend on your behavior to go to heaven or not, God already did everything, all you have to do is accept Jesus as your only and sufficient savior! Your lifestyle must be good to GIVE GLORY TO GOD, not to go to heaven!