Who is heaven for?

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:22).

A pastor was called to see a man dying of a terrible disease. This man, whom we'll call John Smith, had been raised a Christian, but in adulthood had had turned his back on the church. His story was that of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). His life was brought low by contracting a disease that caused everyone to shun him. With no cure to be had and his finances in ruins, John Smith hit rock bottom. In his misery, he though of the house of his heavenly Father, the welcoming home he had abandoned so many years earlier. His pride gone, he spoke with the pastor, who shared with him the words of our merciful God which can save for eternity every repentant sinner. John welcomed God’s offer of pardon and closed his eyes in death, at peace in the arms of Christ.

This man’s situation was well known in the community, and there was some consternation when it was announced that he would be buried in the church cemetery. One prominent member of the congregation confronted the pastor shortly before the funeral. "Pastor, you are not going to bury that good-for-nothing piece of trash, are you?" he asked. The pastor replied, "Do you mean Brother Smith? Certainly I am going to bury him." Upon hearing this, the prominent church member declared "Well, if this man went to heaven, I do not want to go there." The pastor answered, "Don’t worry, Mr. Goodman, you won’t be joining him." "What?" Mr. Goodman sputtered, "this miserable wretch is permitted to enter heaven, while I am kept out?" The pastor explained, "If what you have just said is truly the content of your heart, then I’m afraid it’s so. Remember, brother, there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

What qualifies a person to enter heaven? Conventional thinking would suggest that God takes into heaven those people who really try hard to lead good lives. But how then do we explain Jesus’ words to the career criminal on the cross next to Him the day of their execution: "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43)? That criminal only repented of his evil ways in his last hours; there was no opportunity for him to try and make up for all the wicked things he had done. But living a good life is not what opens paradise to us—those golden gates are opened solely by the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. Jesus opens heaven to every person who turns his back on sin and trusts in the Savior for mercy. All have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.