Don’t the good go up (to heaven) and the bad go down (to hell)?
That is a very common idea, but it is absolutely wrong. It feeds human pride and therefore has become widely accepted. But God is too holy and we are too sinful to ever sneak into heaven. On virtually the last page of the Bible we read, ‘But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.’ (Revelation 21:27). No sin at all, not even a little lie is able to enter into God’s presence. He is too holy even to look at sin. He can never tolerate it or grow accustomed to its devastating consequences.
Some imagine a judgement to be like a set of scales, balancing good and evil deeds. If the good outweighs the evil then all will be well. The Bible teaches differently:-
Firstly, we read the unflattering news that all of us are sinners: ‘There is none righteous, no not one … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ (Romans 3:10 and 23). Then we read that ‘All our righteousnesses are like filthy rags,’ (Isaiah 64:6), so we really are in a lost state, except that the Gospel message meets our deepest need because, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.’ (Ephesians 2:8,9). In other words, salvation (God’s complete rescue package) is a gift from God, available to all who will receive it
That does not mean that it is not good to be good. The world desperately needs more ‘good’ people.
When a person is right with God he or she will find that the Lord gives a deep desire to be and to do good. That is why Christians have worked for social reform and have given their lives in service as missionaries abroad or at home to help others.
If we love and live for Christ we will find we love and live for others too. However, this is a result of trusting Christ, not as a means of trying to find favour with God.
Heaven is full of bad people, but full of bad people who have turned from their sin, trusted Christ and been forgiven. Jesus came into the world for everyone, because He came to seek sinners and we all qualify.
All need to receive Christ and find that He has reserved a place in heaven for them.
A man may go to Heaven
Without health
Without wealth
Without fame
Without a great name
Without learning
Without a big earning
Without culture
Without beauty
Without friends
Without 10,000 other things
But he can
Never go to heaven
Without Christ
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