CONDITIONS OF ENTRY INTO HEAVEN 2
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY INTO HEAVEN 2
When Christians are born again, their experience is not limited to the initial act of spiritual renewal when they commit themselves to Christ. It is an on-going work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit throughout the entirety of their Christian walk, transforming their lives as they surrender themselves to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of God's word. Being born again expresses the change wrought in Christians' lives by the Holy Spirit after their conversion to Christ (CP Jn 3:3-7; 4:13-14; Ro 12:1-2; Eph 4:17-32; 5:25-27; Col 3:9-11; Tit 3:5; Jas 1:18-25; 1Pe 1:23-25; 2Pe 1:1-4; 1:5-11; 1Jn 2:27). These scriptures all teach that once committing their way to the Lord, Christians must be actively involved in their own spiritual growth. They must no longer be conformed to the world system that is without God, but are to be transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God. Let us read 2Pe 1:1-11 again (CP 2Pe 1:1-11). In V8, 10 and 11 here we learn that Christians can experience all the things of V3-4 which ensure their place in heaven, but they can forfeit that place through negligence. It is only by developing the graces listed in V5-7 that Christians ensure a place for themselves in heaven, "… For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (CP V11). In V9 Peter teaches that if the graces listed in V5-7 are not evident in Christians it is because they have deliberately failed to develop them (CP V9). In the Greek construction of this verse, the word forgotten points to a deliberate act. It suggests that Christians, by failing to make the effort to grow in grace as instructed in V5, have in effect turned their backs on the stand they made for Christ when they were first saved. The phrases "giving all diligence" in V5, and "give diligence" in V10, demonstrate that Christians must be actively involved in their own spiritual growth (CP 2Pe 1:5, 10 with Lu 13:23-27; Jn 6:27; Ro 12:1-2; 1Cor 9:24-27; 15:58; 2Cor 7:1; Eph 4:1; Php 2:12; Col 3:1-7; He 6:10-11; 10:22-36; 12:1-2; 2Pe 1:5-11; 3:17-18; Rev 2:1, 4-7; 2:12, 14-17; 2:18, 20-29; 3:1-6; 3:14-22). Those scriptures also teach that the onus is on Christians to be actively involved in their own spiritual growth. There is no such thing in God's order as a lukewarm, or "nominal" Christian. Those who do what the scriptures say will never fall into sin and fail God's grace. Failure to persevere in the development of Christian character and to practice what they know, leads Christians to be barren and fruitless, which will result ultimately in their rejection by God (CP Mk 11:25-26).
Here we learn that unforgiveness also excludes one from heaven. Again the teaching is unmistakeable: if Christians do not forgive those who sin against them, neither will God forgive their sin. And without God's forgiveness, one cannot be redeemed. Forgiveness is therefore, a matter of life or death for Christians (CP Mt 18:23-35). This is called the parable of the unmerciful, or unforgiving servant. Jesus told it in response to Peter's question in V21-22 as to how many times he had to forgive someone who sinned against him (CP V21-22). Jesus' reply that Peter had to forgive them four hundred and ninety times - seventy times seven - simply underlines the fact that Christians cannot ever afford not to forgive others, regardless of how often they offend. Forgiveness has to be a constant attitude with Christians if they want to be forgiven themselves (CP Mt 6:14-15; Lu 6:37). Scriptures are clear: the forgiveness of God though freely given to Christians, nevertheless remains conditional according to Christians' willingness to forgive others. If they do not forgive, they will also be punished like the unforgiving servant in the parable, "… so likewise will my heavenly father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every brother their trespasses". In return for God's forgiveness of their sins, Christians have to forgive those who sin against them (CP 1Pe 3:8-9).
Peter teaches here that having received mercy and forgiveness themselves from God, it is the calling of every Christian to bless others with the same mercy and forgiveness, in order to inherit a blessing. The blessing is the inheritance to which Christians are called - everlasting life (CP Jas 2:13). James teaches here that those who show no mercy or forgiveness toward others, after having received God's mercy and forgiveness themselves, will forfeit their place in heaven (CP Mt 6:9-15). Forgiveness is the key to answered prayer. In V9-13 here Jesus is teaching the disciples how to pray, and in V14-15 He stresses the need for forgiveness as a condition of answered prayer (CP Lu 12:41-48).
This is called the parable of the unfaithful servant. Here Jesus teaches that those who profess to love God but are indifferent and careless about the things of God, will forfeit their place in heaven. They will be eternally damned along with unbelievers (CP Mt 11:21-24 with He 10:29-31). Just as there are degrees of rewards in heaven (CP 1Cor 3:13-15), so too there are degrees of punishment in hell. Those who know God's word and do not do it, will receive greater punishment than those who do not know. They will both be in hell, but the professing Christian's punishment will be greater, as Jesus so clearly teaches, "… and that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes … but he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Lu 12:47-48). Now let us look at five more parables which also highlight the folly of Christians believing they are saved who are not doing the work of God's word (CP Mt 24:42-44). This is called the parable of the goodman of the house (CP Mt 24:45-51). This is called the parable of two kinds of servants - one faithful and wise, the other unfaithful (CP Mt 25:1-13). This is called the parable of the ten virgins (CP Mk 13:33-37). This is called the parable of the watchful porter (CP Lu 12:35-38). This is called the parable of the watchful servants.
The core teaching in all these parables is faithfulness, preparedness, and watchfulness in view of Christ's coming again - whether it be prior to the tribulation to take all the saints of God to heaven with Him as some believe, or it be after the tribulation at His second coming. These teachings are relevant to Christians at all times. In all six parables Jesus links behaviour to belief. If Christians believe in the imminence of Christ's coming again, they must act accordingly. They cannot live to suit themselves, but must persevere in faith doing the work of God's word. The parables all echo what Jesus said in Mt 7:21-27 that not everyone who calls Him Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who have prepared themselves for His return will enter in; the kingdom will not be open to those who profess to belong to Him, but have no divine resources within.
All of the foregoing needs to be recorded in this study because it is what scriptures teach, but the most important teaching of all is love. Love is the key to eternal life. If Christians love God and their neighbour as they should, they will never fail God's grace (CP Mt 22:34-40). These two commandments are the sum of all divine revelation and responsibility. Christians' love for God is demonstrated by their love for each other (CP Jn 13:34-35). Christians' love for each other has to be unconditional and self-sacrificial as Christ's love for them (CP Jn 13:1-17). It is only Christians' love for one another manifested like this that will ensure their place in heaven (CP 1Jn 3:10-11; 4:7-11; 5:1-3). Notwithstanding that Christians may profess to love God, they are deluding themselves thinking they are saved if they do nothing unconditionally or self-sacrificially for their brothers and sisters in Christ (Jas 2:14-16; 1Jn 3:16-19). God says that it is only Christians' unconditional and self-sacrificial love that gives of itself for others, especially Fellow-Christians, that proves their love for Him, perfects His love in them and assures them of their place in His eternal kingdom (CP Ga 6:9-10; 1Jn 4:12, 16-19). John is stressing Christians' love for one another as the test of their Christian life (CP Jn 15:12-17; 1Jn 2:10; 3:14).
John traces the love Christians should manifest for one another to its source in the nature of God in 1 Jn 4:7-11 as revealed in Him giving up His son to death to provide salvation for His enemies (CP Ro 5:8-11; Eph 2:12-13; Col 1:20-22; Tit 3:3-7). Christians are to show they are God's children by manifesting attitudes and actions like God's to one another. It is only the expression of their love for each other like this that God's love is made perfect in them. The effectiveness of God's love in Christians demonstrates itself in their love for each other (CP Ro 12:9-10; 13:8-10; 1Pe 1:22). This is the perfect love that John said in 1Jn 4:18 casts out fear, which is virtually what 3:14 also teaches. Let us read those scriptures again (CP 1Jn 3:14; 4:18). The fear that perfect love casts out, is the fear of being eternally damned for not loving others. Christians in whom love for others is not manifest will be eternally damned (CP 1Cor 13:1-3; 1Jn 2:9-11; 3:10, 14-15; 4:20-21). Christians in whom God's love is perfected do not have this fear; they have passed from death to life (CP Jn 14:23; 1Jn 3:14). Christians must heed these scriptures; they all emphasize love as the key to eternal life (CP 1Cor 13:1-8).
There are many more conditions of entry into heaven laid down in scripture, but we will look at just one more here before closing this study (CP 1Sam 15:22-24). God wants everyone who professes to love Him to be in complete obedience to His every word. Obedience stems from love (CP Jn 14:23; 1Jn 2:5-6). Obedience means everlasting life; disobedience means eternal damnation (CP Ro 6:16). The whole of what the bible teaches is encapsulated in this verse. Paul is addressing Christians here. He affirms that even though Christians are under grace, it is still their responsibility to resist sin and obey God (CP Ro 6:11-13; 8:12-14; Eph 5:3-10; Col 3:1-17). Christians can yield to sin and go to hell or they can obey God unto everlasting life with Jesus. Christians cannot serve sin and Satan and expect to rule and reign with Christ in eternity. No one can be a servant of sin and Satan, and a servant of righteousness and Christ, at the same time (CP Mt 6:22-24; Jn 8:31-35; Ga 1:10; Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15).
Jesus makes it quite clear in scripture that if Christians are not totally consecrated to the service of God and completely surrendered to the authority of Christ, they are none of His. Christians are fighting either on the side of Christ and righteousness, or they are on the side of the devil and the ungodly (CP Lu 11:23-26). V24-26 teach that unless after their conversion to Christ Christians quickly fill the void in their lives left by sin with the righteousness of God, their old sinful nature will reassert itself and they will be actually worse off than they were before they got saved (CP Jn 5:14; He 6:4-6; 10:26-31; 2Pe 2:20-22). The only assurance Christians have of a place in heaven is their total obedience to God's word. Anything less will cost them that place. Whoever is not doing the work of God's word for Christ, is doing the work of the devil against Him. There is no partial obedience to God's word. It is complete obedience or nothing as far as God is concerned (CP De 6:13-15; Josh 24:19-20; Nah 1:2; Rev 22:11-12). In closing here it needs to be restated that Christians must never take their faith or their salvation for granted. Scriptures clearly teach that salvation is not an unforfeitable possession in this life. It only becomes an unforfeitable possession at the end of this life, if one is sowing to the Spirit. The whole duty of Christians is to fear God, keep His commandments and prepare for eternity (CP Ecc 12:13-14; 2Cor 13:5).
Scriptures speak of salvation in the past tense (CP Ac 15:11; Ro 8:24; Eph 2:5-8; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:4-7; Jude 3); present tense (CP 1Cor 1:18; 2Cor 2:15); and future tense (CP Ac 2:40; Ro 5:9-10; 10:9-10; 11:26-27; 13:11; 1Cor 3:15; 15:1-2; 2Cor 7:10; Php 1:28; 1Th 5:8-10; 1Ti 4:16; He 1:14; 9:28; 10:39; 1Pe 1:5,9-10; 2:2; 4:18). Scriptures which speak of salvation in the past tense do so on the basis that Jesus has already paid for it with His blood, and it is appropriated by faith (CP Jn 3:16-18, 36; Mk 16:16; Ro 1:16; 5:17-19; 1Jn 5:11-12). But clearly, salvation is future, it cannot become actual until the "redemption of the purchased possession" (CP Eph 1:3-14 with Ro 8:16-25). These scriptures and many others all teach that salvation is fully certain, but it is only fully certain for those sowing to the spirit at the end of their earthly life (CP Mt 7:21-27; Lu 13:22-27; Ro 2:13; Ga 6:7-8; Php 2:12, 2Ti 2:12; Jas 2:22-26; Rev 2:1-7; 8-11; 12-17; 18-29; 3:1-6; 7-13; 14-22; 22:11-12).
These Studies by Br Val Boyle may be downloaded and freely distributed but not sold for profit.