Saturday, August 15, 2009

Does Everyone Go to Heaven?


A month or so ago, I posted a question at the top of this blog: 'Does Everyone Go to Heaven?' From the minute I added this poll, people began to vote. The possible answers were 1.) Yes, everyone goes to Heaven when they die, 2.) Yes, but only the good people, 3.) No, Heaven doesn't exist, and finally 4.) No, only saved/forgiven people go to Heaven. 67 people in all voted.

I am happy to say that the "correct answer" got the majority vote - 52% of pollers answered that only saved/forgiven people go to Heaven. One of my friends told me that he was about to vote, but then second guessed himself because the question was far too judgemental. He may be right, if the being doing the judging was you or I. In fact the Bible is clear that we are not judged according to how good or bad we are as compared to other people. But rather how good or bad we are as compared to God. Jesus Christ Himself will render the final judgement, and it will be just and irrefutable. Christ may be many things, but He can never be "wrong." If any of us are held against God's law (essentially the 10 commandments), it becomes clear that we have failed in at least 1 or 2 areas - usually a lot more if we are being honest. See an earlier post of mine for a review of the Big 10. If you can get through the list unscathed, then I would humbly offer that your particular sin just may be Pride.

If we want to get into Heaven then we must follow God's roadmap. Salvation is open to anyone, but the Bible tells us that not everyone is going. Many will unfortunately choose the wide gate to destruction because they have rejected the saving Grace of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. How then can we be saved, and know it? Keep reading, and follow the steps below:

1.) Confess your sins. This involves first identifying the problem. No one goes to the doctor unless they know that they are sick. Realizing we fall short of God's glory is the first step. We will then have a heart humble enough to ask God for forgiveness from these sins through Jesus Christ.

2.) Accepting God's gift. Now it's time to accept God's gift of salvation. Pray these words, “Dear God, I understand that I am a sinner and in need of your forgiveness. I accept your son Jesus into my heart and into my home. Please come into my life, and save me into Heaven.”

3.) Turn away from sin. This is called repentance, it means literally to 'turn away' from your sins. This is difficult, but don't worry and keep 2 things in mind: 1.) you will have supernatural help, and 2.) you don't have to be perfect. If the same stupid sin keeps rearing it's ugly head in your life, you must try to defeat it. If you fail, pick yourself up again, ask for forgiveness, and keep on going.

Congratulations, you have done the most important first step. You have let God into your life. The key now is don't stop learning. Read the Bible, ask questions, find a church. Learn about baptism and then do it! And don't be afraid, because as God tells us through the Bible, "you have crossed from death to life." What a wonderful reality Heaven will be.

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