Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:1-11)
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Americans’ belief in God, heaven at lowest point in 22 years, Gallup survey says
Nearly 3 in 10 don’t believe in the devil or hell, poll finds The Washington Times, July 20, 2023
Just 59% of 18- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. say they believe in God, a prime factor in the decline of overall belief in God from 90% in 2001 to 74% in May, a Gallup poll shows.
Overall belief in God, angels, heaven, hell and the devil, which Gallup termed the five “spiritual entities,” has reached its lowest point in 22 years, according to survey results released Thursday.
In its May survey, Gallup’s fifth since 2001, 69% percent overall said they believe angels are real, down 12 percentage points since the start of this century.
Sixty-seven percent overall said they believe in heaven, a 16-point drop from 2001, and 59% said they believe in hell, down 12 points from 2001.
Fifty-eight percent expressed belief in the devil, a 10-percentage-point decline over the 22-year period.
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In our Christian faith, the concept of heaven – a place of eternal communion with God – is central. Salvation, or the assurance of a place in heaven, is a cornerstone of Christian belief, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. This message seeks to explore various biblical passages that describe the types of people who, according to Christian doctrine, may not inherit the kingdom of heaven. These scriptures, ranging from the Gospels to the Epistles and the vivid imagery of Revelation, offer insights into the Christian understanding of salvation and righteousness.
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Understanding Salvation: A Biblical Perspective
Salvation in Christianity is often discussed in the context of faith and deeds. The debate between faith and works has been a long-standing theological discussion within Christianity. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that it is by grace through faith that believers are saved, not by works, so that no one can boast. However, James 2:26 reminds believers that faith without works is dead. This duality of faith and actions forms the backdrop of our exploration into the biblical texts that delineate who may not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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Matthew 7:21-23: The True Disciple
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents a startling truth in Matthew 7:21-23. Here, He emphasizes that not everyone who outwardly professes faith in Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father. This passage underscores the importance of genuine faith, which is reflected in one’s actions and obedience to God’s commandments. It warns against the danger of a superficial faith, where one may profess belief in Christ but does not live out His teachings.
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John 3:3: The Necessity of Rebirth
Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus introduces the essential concept of being “born again.” This spiritual rebirth is necessary to see the kingdom of God. It signifies a profound transformation, a complete renewal of one’s nature, aligning one’s life with the principles and values of the kingdom of God. It’s not merely a ritual or intellectual belief, but a deep, personal change that affects one’s very identity and actions.
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John 3:36: Faith and Obedience
This verse presents a clear dichotomy: eternal life is granted to those who believe in the Son, while God’s wrath remains on those who reject Him. This belief is more than acknowledgment; it involves trust, reliance, and obedience. Disobedience, therefore, is not just a matter of actions but also an issue of faith.
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Matthew 25:31-46: The Righteous and the Unrighteous
The parable of the sheep and goats illustrates the final judgment where people are divided based on their treatment of others. This passage emphasizes that righteous actions are a natural outflow of a transformed heart. The unrighteous, who neglect to show compassion and love, are not merely those who do wrong, but those who fail to do right when given the opportunity.
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1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Moral Integrity
Paul lists various behaviors that are inconsistent with the kingdom of God. This passage does not suggest that these sins are unforgivable, but rather that a lifestyle characterized by such practices, without repentance, is indicative of a heart not transformed by the grace of God.
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1 Corinthians 10: Warnings from Israel’s History
Paul uses Israel’s history as an example to warn believers. The passage teaches that reliance on one’s status as ‘chosen’ or ‘saved’ while continuing in sinful behaviors provokes God’s displeasure. It’s a reminder to live in continuous humility, obedience, and reliance on God.
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Galatians 5:19-21: Acts of the Flesh
This passage contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. The listed behaviors, which include sexual immorality, idolatry, and hostility, reflect a life led by selfish desires rather than by the Spirit of God. Such practices, if unrepented, indicate a life not guided by the Spirit.
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Revelation 20:15: The Book of Life
The Book of Revelation speaks of the final judgment, where anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire. This imagery represents the ultimate consequence of rejecting God’s offer of salvation through Christ.
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Revelation 21:8: The Second Death
This scripture describes a list of characteristics that lead to the second death. It includes the cowardly, the unbelieving, and the detestable. This second death, the lake of fire, symbolizes eternal separation from God.
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Who Will go to Heaven?
Now we will explore the themes of John chapters 13 through 15 to understand the types of people who, according to these scriptures, will make it to heaven.
John 13: Love and Service
In John 13, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, setting an example of humility and service. He says, “If I, then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). This act symbolizes purity and the serving nature of Jesus’ ministry. Those who make it to heaven, according to this passage, are those who emulate Christ’s humility and servitude, caring for others selflessly.
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John 14: Faith and Obedience
John 14 speaks profoundly about faith in Jesus. “Believe in God; believe also in me,” Jesus tells His disciples (John 14:1). This chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the way to the Father. Furthermore, it links love for Jesus to obedience: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Thus, those who are heaven-bound are characterized by their faith in Jesus and their adherence to His teachings.
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John 15: Abiding in Christ
In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and the branches, teaching the importance of abiding in Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). This abiding is more than mere belief; it is a living, vital connection with Jesus that results in a fruitful life. Those who make it to heaven are those who maintain this deep, personal relationship with Christ and whose lives bear the fruit of that relationship.
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The Promise of the Holy Spirit
John chapters 14 and 15 also promise the Holy Spirit, who guides, teaches, and empowers believers to live according to Christ’s teachings. The presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is a mark of those who will inherit the kingdom of heaven, as He is the one who transforms us into the likeness of Christ.
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The scriptures provide a solemn reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of a genuine, transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. However, they are also a call to grace. Christianity is fundamentally a religion of redemption, offering forgiveness and new life in Christ. The message is not just about who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, but about the transformative power of God’s love and grace that invites all to a life of faith and obedience.
The Gospel of John chapters 13 to 15 paints a picture of heaven-bound individuals as those who embody Christ’s love and humility, who have faith in Him, who obediently follow His commandments, and who maintain a living relationship with Jesus, evidenced by a fruitful life. This is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, marked by love, service, obedience, and a deep, abiding connection with Christ!
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If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”
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