I was chatting with a young man today who was grappling with the age-old question, “Don’t good people automatically go to heaven?” This is a question people have struggled with for generations, but only because they are illiterate when it comes to understanding God’s word. There are hundreds of examples, and thousands of Scriptures that answer that question soundly. The answer? A resounding, “No!” There is absolutely no way into the presence of God apart from accepting His Son as a personal Savior. Sometimes it’s the “best of people” by the world’s standards that frankly don’t believe they “need” a Savior. If perfection is the mark for entering His Kingdom, then who of us could ever get there alone?
“Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?’ The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say [gospel of Jesus Christ]… [So Peter went with them] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message… [Then Peter said] ‘They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:21-48a
The question is not, “Why would God send a good person to hell?” But rather, “Why would God send His Son to ransom ANY of us from the eternity we earned when we sinned against Him?” In light of this, keep thanking God daily for his grace and snatching others from the fire if possible.
In Christ,
JimKilby @Kilbin8er
Jim@JamesKilby.com