Only Christians in Heaven?

by Stephen Bastin

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There are many sincere people who believe that every “sincere” person is going to heaven.  Let me say right here, I have no objections to anyone that God lets in heaven.  He is God and He is the final judge.

Having said that, let me offer some personal observations.  There are some religious groups that do not even believe that heaven exists.  They may be sincere, but they have no desire to go to heaven.  Will God make them go?  Then there are other religious groups that do not even believe in God.  Again, they may be sincere, but will God accept those who have rejected Him?

The Qu'ran speaks of a Garden with rivers of milk, wine and honey.  In this Garden there is also the promise of “Companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes.”  For those who do not get the Garden there is the promise that they shall dwell “In the Fire, and be given to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels.”  These descriptions are quite different than the descriptions of heaven and hell with which I am familiar.

It is only in the New Testament that one reads of Heaven as the final resting place for God‘s people.  If the New Testament is deemed to be “unreliable” then there is no promise of heaven to which anyone will go.  If the New Testament is deemed “reliable” in its promise of heaven then it ought also to be deemed reliable in its description of who will and who will not go!  Any other position would have to be described as illogical and without foundation.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven.”  Jesus further said, “No one comes to the Father except by me.”  And he also told his followers, “Whoever confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father in heaven and whoever denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven.”

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that the New Testament of Jesus is very restrictive of who will and who will not go to heaven.  People who deny that Jesus is the Son of God “ain’t goin.’”  Sincerity does not count in this test.  Open affirmation of Jesus is that which determines one’s fate.

Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and a wide assortment of other religious folk are excluded if one accepts the New Testament.  If one rejects the New Testament there is no promise of heaven, so they are still out along with those who believe the New Testament.  That would leave all of us in a fine fix.

In an age that celebrates “broad mindedness” and “tolerance”  a person who thinks in narrow terms stands out as mean-spirited and evil.  The result is that we have kids’ soccer games played without keeping score, schools without grades and all other manner of nonsense.

When we become so broad minded that there is neither right nor wrong then there is neither heaven nor hell and all is lost for everyone so that none will stand out as righteous nor excellent.

There is evil in this world.  And there is righteousness in this world.  God is concerned about which side you choose.  Choosing one or the other is imperative.  To choose neither is to give way to evil.  “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.”

Sincerity is not the test for heaven.  It is not the test for getting a diploma.  It is not the test for getting a medical degree.  And it is not what God is looking for in people.

Jesus once said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.  For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.”

After warning about false prophets who lead people to destruction, Jesus made another comment about pleasing God:  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

It is not arrogant to believe that one is going to heaven.  It is a matter of truth.  If the Bible says it is true.  If the Bible says something is true the matter is settled whether you believe it or not.  God’s Word is always true.

There are many religious groups that believe their way is the only way.  They are right about one thing.  There is only one way.  Whether they are the right way or just one of many wrong ways is a matter to be determined by the evidence.  At least they stand for something and everyone knows where they stand.

It is convenient to believe that everyone who is sincere is going to heaven.  If I am sincere then all is well.  If there is just one sincere person who is going to be lost, then I may be the one who is going to be lost and there is something that I need to do.

Wishing that my car will start will not start the car.  Wishing that I will pass a test will not get me a passing grade.  Wishing that one will go to heaven will not get one there.  Doing the will of God is what is required.  And God has revealed His will in the Bible.