Question: Why do Christians believe they are the only ones in the world going to heaven? I am a good person, and I believe that God will allow me into heaven when I die.
Answer: Christians are followers of Jesus Christ, who the Bible indicates is the only Son of the Living God. The Bible scriptures are the record of God’s revelations to mankind, and so we must base our beliefs according to these truths. The scriptures detail that God designed a way for humans to live forever in heaven as He does. It may surprise you, but that way is not by being good people; it’s through accepting that Jesus died for our sins to pay the penalty that God required to cancel them. Christians understand that this path to living forever in heaven is available to everyone who accepts that Jesus became the Savior for all!
God sent Jesus into the world to live as a man, and He taught us how important it is to live to bring honor and glory to God and obey His rules for life. But Jesus’ ultimate purpose was to offer Himself as the Savior (also “Messiah” or anointed one) and die as the final sacrifice on a Roman cross for the sins of men and women; the Jews’ yearly temple sacrifices of animals were not enough to transform their lives from sinful to new ones of righteousness in God’s eyes.
“Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2
After Jesus died, He was resurrected back to life on the third day to demonstrate what new life God will give us in the future! Our perfect, holy God can only allow a person who is sinless into eternal fellowship with Himself; so, Jesus was designated as the sinless, perfect one who paid for the sins of men and women by His death. Jesus’ blood paid the sin debt to God as our once-and-for-all sacrifice. Jesus proclaimed that He was the one and only way to God, the “narrow gate”, and the atonement for all sin. Jesus stated:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except by me.” John 14:6
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
“Then Jesus traveled throughout the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way toward Jerusalem. ‘Lord,’ someone asked Him, ‘will only a few people be saved?’ Jesus answered, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying to the Lord to open the door. But He will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’” Luke 13:22-25
Many people have reasoned that they’ll be welcomed into heaven by God because they’ve been kind, have given money to charities, or have attended a church. However, the Bible says that no one can earn that privilege; each one must put his or her faith in Jesus because only Jesus provided the way for them! You can read in the historical record of the Bible how God revealed Himself to the world many times, and most people did not believe Him or obey the laws for life that He gave them.
“…all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“…no one is considered good by God, not even one person.” Romans 3:10
“…we are all living dead lives in our trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1
“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2
It’s never too late during your lifetime on earth to enter into the right relationship with God through acknowledging Jesus as His Son. When you realize your own sins and that you cannot save yourself, you are finally ready to confess them, ask God for forgiveness, and accept that Jesus died on the cross for you. Then, you’re allowed to join God and others in heaven after your physical death in the future. The apostle Paul wrote:
“We are not ashamed of the gospel [truth of how to be saved from hell through Jesus], for it is the power of God to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16
God must be already speaking these truths to your heart; His Holy Spirit has brought these concerns to your mind. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us. He is reaching out to you and giving you another chance for eternal life in Paradise with Him. The moment you die, it will be too late to decide to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for you. That moment will come suddenly and unexpectedly!
Will you be ready to face God when you die?
Have you recognized that your own good deeds and good intentions are, as God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write, stained and useless? “…we sinned; we have been sinning for a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 64:5-6)
You have the choice to leave your downward spiral that leads to eternal death and punishment in hell. That is, to ask God right now to forgive you of all your sins you’ve committed, both intentionally and unintentionally. Receive His gift of life in heaven He is offering you. Be assured, ONLY Jesus can make you right with God. Anyone who accepts Jesus, His ONLY Son, is accepted by the Father (God)!
Do it rather than putting it off until another time.
Ask God – He is listening right now!
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
