How can people get into heaven just by being christian?

Question

Please read all the details before you give an answer. I believe in God. I love what Jesus taught, the peace, love, understanding. I live by this. I do all I can to help people, I wish I could do more, and soon hopefully I will. But I know many christians who never help anyone,who cheat on their spouses,isn't divorce bad too? Most of the divisions of christianity believe different things.Have different beliefs, and think others are wrong.How is it that Jesus dying gets us into heaven, but his teachings of love, and understanding, not judging others,while he was alive, for most don't mean anything?How would people be different once they're in heaven?They magically love everyone?Are tolerant of everyone?Why wouldn't a person of another religion or atheist, who does great loving things get into heaven?If God knows everything He would know how almost impossible it is for people to believe.I want to know how people will be better in heaven than they are here.

I don't want to anger anyone, but for those that say all it takes is to take Jesus as your savior and nothing else counts. How is everyone going to be better in heaven? example:I let some people live in my house because they were in a horrible situation, I tried to help them,they stole from me,they did some pretty nasty things.How do people that take Jesus as savior but are not good people, how are they going to be better in heaven?

a blvr, I understand what you are saying, but what about the people that learn Jesus' teachings about love, peace, and understanding, and realize that is the right way to live, but for whatever reasons they have, don't take Jesus as their savior.Maybe some feel doing this feels like they are putting Jesus above God, or they just don't believe in a creator. But these people are still very good and loving people. what about them?

Answer 1

I understand where you are coming from...

But there are a few things you need to understand:

1) See James 2:14-17. Here it says that faith without works is dead. In other words, the "christians who never help anyone, who cheat on their spouses", etc...show that their faith is dead. A person with true faith DOES love. That is why Jesus speaks of "fruit on a tree". You can tell a good tree...because it bears good fruit. This means, you can tell a TRUE Christian from another because of the FRUIT in their lives (i.e. their good works and love). A person who has NO fruit is definitely NOT a Christian. BUT, all people (including Christians) sin...and make mistakes. Just because a person sins does not mean that they are going to hell and are not a Christian.

2) You say you love what Jesus taught. Yet, look at John 14:6. Here, Jesus directly states that HE is the ONLY way to heaven...and that there is no other way to Heaven except through Him. So...does this mean you only like some of what He taught...?

3) The BASIC Gospel message (which means "good news") is that salvation is by GRACE. This is necessary because it is also true that ALL people have sinned...including you and including me. Perhaps some sin is more visible (the adultery you spoke about) than others...and some worse than others. But all sin must be punished or else God would not be just.

Either a person says, "I'll take my chances...because I have been a pretty good person with only a few sins...let God judge me for my sins"....and they are justly punished in hell for their sins.

OR, a person says, "Dear Lord, have mercy upon me...a sinner. Do not judge me for my sins, for then I would be bound for hell! Please accept the death of you Son Jesus Christ as a just payment for the penalty I deserve for my sins...and help me not to ever sin against you again!"....and they are granted forgiveness for their sins and go to heaven.

4) IF a person were sinless but were not a Christian...they would STILL go to heaven! But the problem is: no one is without sin. This is directly stated in the Bible. See 1 John 1:8-10.

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Answer 2

The grace of God, through the finished work of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified is the only way to heaven, period.

But having said that, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are past away, all things are made new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.

When we accept Christ as our savior, His Holy Spirit dwells in us. His righteousness, not ours is the by-product or "fruit" that comes from a Christian walk.

Not everyone who says they are a Christian, walks the walk. Also, there are many people who are not Christians, who are moral, friendly, helpful people. The kind of people who a person would enjoy having for a neighbor. Having said all of this, the Bible says to speak the truth with love: only a relationship with Jesus Christ will get anyone to heaven. None of us deserve it, I certainly don't. But even the thief who was crucified next to Jesus was saved, it might have been the only right thing he ever did (Luke 23:39-43) I know this doesn't seem fair, but it is clearly spelled out in the word of God.

Answer 3

Great question.

Mat 7:13 ¶ 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:

How Many Christians Are There?
1,026,501,000 Roman Catholics and 316,445,000 ** Protestants in the world. Most Catholics are Roman Catholics; there are 60,018,436 ** in the United States. Protestants in the U.S. number 42,513,059 as of 1997. **

What is the second largest Christian denomination in the United States? The Baptist Church is the leader with 23,929,356 members. ** Next in numbers are the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church.

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

That does not sound like chistianity to me, what do you think?


Mat 7:15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Hmm......

Revelation 12:9—
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. She was cast out into the earth, and her angels were cast out with her.

Compare the following:
I Yahchanan 3:8—
He who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of Yahweh was manifested; that He might destroy the works of the devil.

I Yahchanan 2:4—
He who says: I know Him, but does not keep His Law, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Isayah 8:20—
To the Law and to the Prophecy: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.


The Prophet Daniyl spoke of the religions changing the Laws of Yahweh and being allowed to do so, without correction, until the Last Days when Yahweh would establish a Work on earth that would correct the religions' deception. Notice this prophecy.

Daniel 7:22-23, 25, Amplified—
22 Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High [God], and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus [the angel] said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth, tread it down, and break it in pieces, and crush it.
25 And he shall speak words against the Most High [God] and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time [of sacred feasts and holy days] and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years]. [Rev. 13:1-6.]

Answer 4

Play my silly game.
You are late for work one morning in perfect plesentville where you have never done any wrong. You skip your breakfast and hop in the car and take off down the road. You drive a little bit over the speed limit. After all you are really a "good" person not like those other animals. You are late too. You see a traffic light turn yellow and you think you can make it but it turns red before you get there. You look up and see blue lights behind you and you think to yourself. I am not a criminal, not like those other people I will just keep going they will understand. Then a few more police join in and a helecopter. You now are starting to understand the gravity of your REAL situation. You cant lower yourself to be a common criminal so you try to ignore it. Then a cop steps off a curb a throws a spike strip in front of your car. There go the tires and you are forced to stop. You know you are in reality a huge criminal that really deserves to go to prison. About that time an lone officer walks up and says "License and registration". So you hand it over. He then says. "Mam I'm giving you a warning this time. Go and obey the law from now on." ... This is exactly what Jesus has done for us. We can't earn it. We don't deserve it. We have only the rite to be grateful about it. If you deserve to go to Heaven based on your good deeds then you will be the first person in all of history that has.
What I hear you saying is that some people are not grateful and take Jesus for granted. This is true but as soon as I am perfect I will work on their salvation.

Answer 5

This is the main differences between Christianity and other religions. You don't have to /do/ anything except accept what Christ did for you on the cross. If someone believes, then that is what gets them to heaven, not their works (Ephesians 2:8-9 has something about this.)

As for how we'll be different, I think the Bible says some things about that-

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" Revelation 21:4

I think that the key part here is "the old order of things has passed away." God will make us whole in heaven. The reason for mourning, crying and pain is sin. There won't be sin in heaven.

Answer 6

First of all Chritianity is not about what we don't or do to other people, Christianity is about what God has done for us. We don't get a ticket to heaven because we are nice to people, yes you can ask God to help you to love others but that's not what is about. But is about what Jesus has done on the cross for us (John 3:16). Being a Chrisitian doen't make us perfect, Iam not perfect, you're not perfect. This is where we stand, we are under a curse, therefore sometimes we are going to get upset at people and not love them. For example, I love my wife, but there are sometimes I don't,only because we have a fallen nature but thanks to Jesus we can change that in prayer littile by little. We are living in a fallen world. Unlike earth, heaven would be different. The Bible says in the book of Revelation that their won't be any weeping, any sorrow in heaven. We will be different, we would have the totaly the character of God within us. When you are God's presence there is no such thing as disease, sorrow, abortion, strive among people. We will be one huge God's family forever. Try not to get confuse between the two places, earth and heaven. We will be different, thank God to that, thanks Jesus for dying for us so we can live with Him.

Answer 7

People go to heaven when they ask Jesus to forgive their sins. These days, many people call themselves Christians when they are really not. If someone is not living the way a Christian should live then they probably are not a Christian. So, a lot of people who call themselves Christians will not go to heaven because they never made a personal relationship with God.

Answer 8

Technopy... "death cult". Classic. Never heard that but so true. Not all, but MANY Christians focus on the wrong message: Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.

That's ridiculous - it should be act like Jesus no matter what the consequences (or Buddah, or another figure that does GOOD toward the world). And people, stop pointing to the bible as your little "factsheet". Just be GOOD to others.

Focus on the NOW and give back to other people no matter of race, creed or religion. That is the true message of God, Jesus, Buddah, etc.

Answer 9

If you've never done any sin or anything wrong in your entire life, you will be with the Lord in heaven when you die.

But, if you have done even at least one sin, you deserve to be in Hell forever. Justice will be served.

Being a Christian does not guarantee forgiveness of sins. It is either the sinner pays for his sins or another person does.

The Lord Jesus Christ died ONLY for those who will trust in Him, and those who trusted in the Lord (including perhaps those who repent of their sins). Abraham was saved by faith, although he probably did not know about the Lord Jesus Christ yet.

Now. I command you in the name of the Lord, to repent and to trust completely in Him. It is either you pay for your own sins, or the Lord Jesus did.

You asked about those who do "good works." Actually, "good works" do not pay for sins. The payment for sins is suffering and death. Even the most evil kings also do "good works." Payment must be made. You cannot do "good works" if your sins have not yet been paid. Filthy rags need to be cleaned by water (no offense). The rag cannot clean itself.

What qualifies the Lord Jesus Christ as the substitute on the cross? He is the Son of God, and His value is infinitely higher than the whole universe itself. He can pay for the sins of as many as He wanted.

Atheists have no excuse. REPENT! Those who blaspheme against the name of the Lord is worse than a criminal. His name is more valuable than the universe itself.

Believers can only be in heaven because the Son of God paid for their sins, there is no other acceptable sacrifice.

Oh, and a "tribeman" who repents and trusts in the Creator will be in paradise, although he does not yet know about the Lord Jesus Christ. His faith will guide him.

The "tribeman" who repents is better than an atheist who refuses to be sorry.

What about adulterous Christians? Maybe they're only Christians but they're not saved. Or, maybe they think they have faith, but actually they don't. Those who trust in the Lord are very sorry of their sins.

An unrepentant Christian is a greater fool than an atheist or an infidel. Repent you foolish Christians!

Answer 10

the respond is this. "Going to heaven", upon dying, is an assumed piece of theology, held by utilising many substantial stream church homes. you may no longer discover the right words, "once you die, you bypass to heaven", contained in the pages of the Holy Bible. you will think of, that something as important, with regards to one's eternity, as a reward of the "stored", would be properly the two, reported and addressed - would not you? The Bible additionally, speaks of a time, after the return of Jesus Christ, the place there'll be a usual resurrection from the ineffective, of all of the folk ever, born. (see: John, financial ruin 5, verses 25 - 29). Herein, it tells of this usual resurrection to contain everyone. that's at this juncture, that all and sundry those non-Christian, people will settle for his or her risk at salvation. greater; you have; Blessed are the meek, they are going to [destiny annoying] inherit the EARTH [no longer heaven]. So; there is a few nutrition for concept for you. God is contained in the saving employer and you're superb suited on your surmizing, that God would be a sadist for be selective with salvation for below some. God loves ALL people - he's no longer a respecter of persons !