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In the minds of multitudes is the notion that the natural order of all events consists of simply
living a decent life, passing from these realms below, and pleasantly awaking on the shores of
heaven. The majority of those who hold to such an appealing view usually overlook some key facts.
Numerous individuals prescribe to the foolish idea that feelings should be the guiding force in one's spiritual life. These often proclaim, "As long as one is honest and sincere in his beliefs, then he will be all right." Of course, this way of thinking is hardly ever applied to issues that pertain to earthly matters. When a person is plagued with cancer or troubled with heart disease, mere feelings of sincerity and honesty usually give way to medical facts and doctor-prescribed treatments. Just as one is unwise to rely on meager intuition in the physical realm, so is one who adopts such a philosophy concerning the spiritual realm. Proverbs 14:12 warns those who live by such a standard: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Jeremiah similarly observed, "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). All who rely on such subjective feelings for spiritual guidance should carefully consider Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." God directs the paths of man by means of His Word, not by the individual's inadequate intuition (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Jesus instructed his disciples, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). These words should serve as a warning to those who believe they can nonchalantly travel through life and ultimately end up in heaven, having put forth no effort to get there, and having had little or no concern for eternal matters while on earth. Legions of individuals believe they are heaven-bound simply because they are good people and have not committed the "big" sins. Those who fall into this category measure their righteousness and guarantee of heaven by their having abstained from committing murder or other major crimes against their fellow man. They fail to realize that even those who have committed the "big" sins, for the most part, still consider themselves good people; they just happened to have made a mistake or two. When taken to its logical end, such a position secures the salvation of the majority, if not all, of humanity. Those holding to this concept completely overlook Jesus' words of warning in Matthew 7:13-14. The Savior summed up this matter when he declared, "Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). No accountable person will ever pleasantly awake on the shores of heaven without having obeyed God. Such obedience not only requires the abstaining of immoral acts, but also the doing of righteous deeds. Understand that such obedience is not the meriting of salvation, but simply complying with the will and requirements of God. God has always required obedience. From Genesis 2:17 to Revelation 22:14, God has demanded conformity to His laws. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation only to those who "obey him" (Heb. 5:9). All who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Christ will be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Those who ignore the obligation of obedience will pay dearly for their mistake. Feelings, sincerity, honesty, and decency all have their places in the plans of God, but none of them alone will allow one to enter heaven. God has requirements and men have obligations to fulfill. Do not fool yourself into thinking that you will merely ease into eternal life without ever having complied with the law of Christ. Truly, there is more to going to heaven than simply living a decent life and eventually passing from these realms below. |