Going to Heaven Are We?
by Rich Deem

"I am the Lord your God. Richard Deem, give me an account of your life."

"Lord, I did my best and and led an exemplary life. I never was physically involved with any of my girlfriends. I was a Scout leader for years. I tried to help people in some way almost every day. I did  a lot of other good things - I'm, sure you know all about them."

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back"Richard, have you ever lied?"

"I tried to tell the truth all the time and was almost always honest."

"Richard, have you ever lied?"

"Yes, Lord. I have lied some."

"Richard, what do you call a person who lies?"

"A liar, Lord."

"Richard, what does my word say about liars?"

"It says that all liars will be "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)sent to hell, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever taken anything that is not yours?"

"Lord, You know that I am an honest person."

"Richard, have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Richard, what do you call someone who takes something that belongs to another?"

"A thief, Lord. I am a thief."

"Richard, what does my word say about thieves?"

"It says that Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)no thieves will enter into heaven, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Richard, what does my word say about people who want things that belong to others?

"It says they are coveting, Lord"

"Richard, what does my word say will happen to those who covet?"

"It says that Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)no covetous people will enter into heaven, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever killed anybody?"

"Of course not, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever hated anybody?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Richard, what does my word say about people who hate others."

"It says that they are "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court... (Matthew 5:21-22)guilty of murder in their heart."

"Richard, what does that make you?"

"I'm a murderer, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever called anybody a fool?"

"Yes, Lord, but he was really stupid."

"Richard, what does my word say about people who call others a fool?"

"It says that they shall be ...whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:22) guilty enough to go into hell."

"Richard, have you ever committed adultery?"

"Absolutely not, Lord."

"Richard, have you ever lusted after a woman?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Richard, what does my word say about those who lust after a woman?"

"It says that he has but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)already committed adultery with her in his heart."

"Richard, what does that make you?"

"I am an adulterer, Lord."

"Richard, what does my word say will happen to adulterers?"

"It says that Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)no adulterers will enter into heaven, Lord."

"Richard Deem, are you ready for me to pronounce sentence?"

"Wait, Lord. What about all the good things I have done?"

"Richard, are you pleading not guilty to the above crimes?"

"No, Lord. I am guilty."

So, do you think you are going to get into heaven on the basis of your good behavior? The above exchange illustrates the futility of attempting to earn your way to heaven. No amount of good works is going to exonerate your guilt before the Holy God. My (and your) guilt is based upon the things we do against God's laws. It works the same way our criminal justice system works - if you are guilty of a crime, you go to jail. It doesn't matter how many good things you have done.

Now, maybe you have never done any of the things above. If so, you need to go to this page. The rest of us realize that we have a BIG problem. I came to this realization upon reading Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter 5. I realized that I needed a Savior to take away my sin. That is the only way I could appear before God without guilt. Jesus Christ died to take away my (and your) sin, so that we could be righteous before God. The Bible says you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord (i.e., boss) and Savior. This means that you repent (turn from your sin) and believe that Jesus died for your sin. You also agree to follow Jesus to become more like Him. He will give you true joy in this life and eternal life with Him afterward.

Reflections
We are what we think.

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Last updated March 30, 2005

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