Self-righteous attitudes can defeat the sincerest of purposes. Many are offended at the very idea that someone may be “wrong” about some issue, especially religion. But it is not self-righteous to say the Bible is God’s Word, that it is authoritative in all areas of life and that it is the means by which all shall be judged. Some forms of dogmatism are wrong while others are not. The Bible is inspired, and I am dogmatic about that, along with all that is associated with that truth.
Many of us have faced the question implied by our title. “Do you really believe that only you and your little bunch are going to heaven?” To answer the question opens doors that need to be opened, but opened with care and with a Bible in our hand.
Some observations must be made before any answer can be given:
- God will not consult me on that day when all will be judged – I am not the one who makes those decisions, nor is the one who asks our “question.”
- Some who ask this question are not seeking information, but merely to put you or me “on the spot.” Some – not all.
- We first must determine what will serve as the standard for our answer.
Unsatisfactory Answers
Some questions do not lend themselves to a “yes/no” answer. The classic, “Have you stopped beating your wife?” is one example. Evading the question is equally unsatisfactory. Jesus was “put on the spot” in His encounter with leaders of the Jews, as recorded in John 8:1-11. He directed the mob to the scriptures for their answer. His was a good response and truly dealt with the issue, but those who sought Jesus’ demise were not happy with it.
We could counter with, “Not all of us will be saved,” but that does not address the question that has been asked. We could simply say, “All who obey God are going to heaven.” While that is obviously true, it is incomplete, not defining the term, “obey God.”
The Question is Not:
Some want to ask the question and then demand an answer that is not responsive to the question. The question is not about which “church” is most friendly, most influential or who has the most money, the finest building or whose preacher is smartest. It has little to do with which group is most numerous or who is known for helping the poor. All these may have a bearing on the way the question will be answered, but they do not address the real question.
The Question Is….
Once we discover the issue, what the question really is about, we can go on to the answering of it. The real question is:
Is God going to save all sincere, religious people regardless of what they believe and practice?
Sincerity is in high regard by all who want to believe and do what is right. One who is not honest in his own heart often can be recognized easily, and God certainly has no difficulty in seeing their hypocrisy.
Though contributing to the death of Christians, Saul of Tarsus acted in “all good conscience,” Acts 23:1. Yet he was guilty of sin, Acts 22:16.
Cornelius, though “devout” and sincere, still needed salvation, Acts 10-11. Honesty and sincerity are required for all who come to Christ, but alone even they are not enough.
What did Jesus Say?
Jesus has something to say about this. In Matthew 7:21ff He says:
“Not every one that says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
Just a few verses earlier in that same chapter Jesus had said that “few” will take the way that leads to “life,” and “many” will take the way that leads to “destruction.” Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Nowhere does the Bible say, “Join the church of your choice,” but Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9:
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
A Question You Might Ask
Jesus often answered a question with another question (see Mark 11:27ff). I have often asked: “Do you believe everyone will be saved and no one lost?”
I have yet to hear someone reply “yes” to that question. If all will not be saved, then what separates the saved from the lost? If Paul said he could be “castaway,” 1 Corinthians 9:27, surely someone today could also face the same end. Paul had been as honest a person as one could find, but he knew he must continue to be true to Christ.
You know what separates the saved from the lost. You can find it in the Bible. Every person must obey Christ, and you find out how to do that by reading what the New Testament says. Why not get started right now?
