Some believe that sincere prayer will get them into heaven. Unfortunately, this view ignores what the Bible teaches about salvation.
God chose Israel as His chosen people to bring about the Messiah but did not guarantee their individual salvation from Hell. Likewise, Pharaoh served God well without giving him eternal life.
Table of Contents
Faith
People often assume that being good throughout their lives will ensure them a place in heaven, but this is simply not true. According to Scripture, faith in Jesus Christ alone saves people – not good works or goodness alone. There have been plenty of good people who were never saved due to lacking the faith needed in order to enter into eternity with him.
Ultimately, Jesus will judge each person and decide who goes to heaven or hell based on whether or not they have accepted him as their Lord and bowed their knee to Him as King. By bowing your knee before Him as King and accepting Him as your lord and master in your life, this means you have accepted him into your heart as your king; otherwise they remain outside His Kingdom until judgement day when they will either go heavenwards or hellwards.
Some believe that those destined to reach Heaven are those who practice Christianity; while others see salvation available to people of all religions. Though Christianity alone doesn’t guarantee entry into Heaven, several passages indicate such. John 3:16-17 refers to how much God loved the world that He sent His only Son into it while Romans 6:23 speaks of sin being punished with death as examples.
According to tradition, those who will find salvation are those who experience a true and deep conversion experience with lifestyle changes that take place over time; having an active prayer life; believing strongly in Jesus as their only way into Heaven; and possessing strong beliefs about him being their only way.
Other factors that may determine who enters heaven include an individual’s age, family history and spiritual maturity. Some Christians also believe that good deeds will help one into Heaven – while Catholic and Orthodox Churches assert that all people will be judged at their time of death and those with an attitude of kindness welcomed into Heaven while those deemed evil will be sent down into Hell.
Works
Christian doctrine holds that God decides who enters heaven based on their faith and grace; He wants all people to be saved as shown by 2 Peter 3:9. However, according to Scripture (and Christianity specifically), no one can enter heaven without faith in Jesus Christ – though one’s works alone do not guarantee salvation; faith alone won’t do. Furthermore, those without faith cannot be saved because their sinful nature keeps them apart from God.
People who believe all good and sincere people go to heaven argue that a loving God would not turn away sincere individuals. Furthermore, since everyone was created with free will it would be impossible for Him to punish those who choose not to accept his love.
But this argument fails to take into account both God’s nature and biblical concepts of hell. God is both holy and just, requiring that those who do not accept his grace be punished with hellfire for eternity.
The Bible also teaches that salvation does not result from solely faith alone; obedience to his laws and commandments also must take place for one’s eternal wellbeing. James writes of faith without works being dead (James 2:17) while Paul cautions against those claiming salvation solely by faith alone (Eph 2:1-5; Romans 6:16-26).
Bible teachings emphasize that living a life marked by mortal sin is an enormous sin against both God and others, such as sexual immorality, gambling, lying, cheating or dishonesty. Those who commit such sinful acts during life may face eternal torment in hell if they die without accepting Christ; yet there is hope! When one believes on His name they become new creations no longer possessing sinful tendencies and thus no longer guilty for any past wrongdoings committed during life.
Repentance
Repentance is an integral component of Christian belief and should not be confused with faith. Although God requires our belief to receive His salvation, scripture also instructs that repentance must play an integral part of Christianity (Luke 13:3) for true salvation to occur.
Repentance can be defined as an act that involves altering one’s thinking to result in changing their actions. It involves acknowledging one’s sinful acts and having the desire to turn away from unrighteousness. Repetence often brings grief; however, biblical sorrow results in life while worldly sorrow leads to death (Matthew 7:16).
Repentance requires acknowledging one’s wrongdoings as sins that separate from God, need forgiveness from Him and believe He alone can save them from hell. To truly repent one must comprehend that their actions are wrong and acknowledge how their sin has separated them from Him. They also must recognize their dependence upon Christ alone for salvation from hell.
Whoever is saved will have an eternal relationship with God and will spend eternity in heaven with loving, devoted people. According to Scripture, all this can only happen because of His grace which He provides freely for everyone who believes. Unfortunately, not everyone will accept it though and go on to be saved – some may reject His gift and be condemned to hell forever.
Many wonder how God decides who goes to heaven, but the answer lies within His grace alone: those saved through repentance or faith alone will also spend eternity there. Christians, Jews who accept Jesus as their savior and even those from Old Testament days who had no idea about Jesus will all find peace with their maker in heaven.
Salvation
The Bible clearly teaches us that those who are saved will go to heaven; this is the only way they will spend eternity with God. God made it possible through sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins as part of his plan of salvation for humanity – this costly act would suffice in saving everyone who puts their trust in him from hell’s penalty and becoming part of His eternal kingdom.
If we do not believe in Him, we will not be saved and sent straight to hell. Salvation does not rely on good deeds or sincerity alone but on faith in Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection; thus it’s essential that we understand what salvation entails and how we can obtain it.
Numerous individuals will not qualify to enter Heaven, including those who have lived a life filled with consistent and deep sin, failed to follow the teachings of Scripture, or disbelieved the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture contains numerous passages that describe life in heaven; one such example is the parable of the sheep and goats where those who helped poor and needy individuals will be welcomed while those who did not will be sent away from this life of eternal bliss.
Another factor preventing some from entering Heaven is not having been “born again”. To become Christians and receive salvation through Jesus Christ, one must be “reborn”. Belief in him must accompany confessing He is Lord must accompany confession.
The Old Testament offers several examples of Salvation, mostly related to physical harm. Hezekiah asked God for help against Assyria (2 Chronicles 20:19), while David beseeched God to spare him from Saul’s army (Psalm 54:1). But according to the New Testament, salvation goes much deeper. We will be liberated from Satan and its effects, as well as saved from our own sinful natures and temptations.