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Going to heaven isn't automatic and demands a conscious decision

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  • Going to heaven isn't automatic and demands a conscious decision
By Peter Kaye | Sun, 17/07/2022 - 16:32

Is Heaven Our Default Destination...or Is Hell?

Randy Allcorn, Eternal Perspective Ministries, writes...

The safest road to hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. — C. S. Lewis

For every American who believes he’s going to Hell, there are 120 who believe they’re going to Heaven. This optimism stands in stark contrast to Christ’s words in Matthew 7:13-14(link is external): “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

What would keep us out of Heaven is universal: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23(link is external)). Sin separates us from a relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2(link is external)). God is so holy that he cannot allow sin into his presence: “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong” (Habakkuk 1:13(link is external)). Because we are sinners, we are not entitled to enter God’s presence. We cannot enter Heaven as we are.

So Heaven is not our default destination. No one goes there automatically. Unless our sin problem is resolved, the only place we will go is our true default destination . . . Hell.

I am addressing this issue now because throughout this book I will talk about being with Jesus in Heaven, being reunited with family and friends, and enjoying great adventures in Heaven. The great danger is that readers will assume they are headed for Heaven. Judging by what’s said at most funerals, you’d think nearly everyone’s going to Heaven, wouldn’t you? But Jesus made it clear that most people are not going to Heaven: “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

We dare not “wait and see” when it comes to what’s on the other side of death. We shouldn’t just cross our fingers and hope that our names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27(link is external)). We can know, we should know, before we die. And because we may die at any time, we need to know now—not next month or next year. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14(link is external)).

It’s of paramount importance to make sure you are going to Heaven, not Hell. The voice that whispers, “There’s no hurry; put this book down; you can always think about it later,” is not God’s voice. He says, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2(link is external)) and “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15(link is external)).

 

Read the full post on epm.org(link is external)

For more information on the subject of Heaven, see Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven(link is external).

Chapter 20 Page 450

After a little, Peter spoke. ‘Dad's words about Janet being in heaven were so good to hear. Even though I knew that already. They must have made anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus think a bit.’

Charlene nodded. ‘The reminder that going to heaven isn't automatic and demands a conscious decision from each of us is something that I reckon should be part of every funeral. The priest can give thanks for someone's life, but there's nothing he or anyone else can do for someone who died without saving faith.

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