Nothing we can do

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Earlier this week, Kristen asked why Jesus had to die on the cross.  So we asked Katie to explain it to Kristen.  At first, Katie said she didn't remember, but then we asked her a few questions:

We said: Katie, Do you know who goes to Heaven when they die?  

Katie said:  Yes, the people who believe in Jesus and have no sin in their heart.

We said: Katie, have you ever done anything wrong in your life?  Have you ever disobeyed mom?  

Katie said:  yes, i have. 

So we said:  Katie, do you have sin in your heart?  

Katie said, yes, i do.

So we said:  Katie, is there anything you can do to get the sin out of your heart?  

Katie said:  no, there isn't.  

We said:  But what if you do 10 good things to make up for the 1 bad thing?  Will that get the sin out of your heart?  Do good things erase bad things?  

Katie said:  no, there isn't

So we said:  then how do you get the sin out of your heart?

Katie said:  we can't.  we have to pray and ask Jesus to take the sin out of our heart

So we said:  How is Jesus able to take the sin out of your heart?

Katie said:  the punishment for sin is death.  That's why Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  That's why He is able to take the sin out of our heart.