The other day I got into a conversation with family about the mission of my trip. They asked if the goal was to convert others to Christianity. Well, in a way yes. The goal is not to convert but to win people over to Jesus by the love he has poured on us. I told them that i respected other religions and loved learning about them, but that I (as a Christian) believe that only people who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection would go to Heaven.
That is what really began the conversation. My family did not like the idea of only Christians going to heaven. I think that they deemed it unfair that God would only allow the select to enter his Kingdom. This is what I find unfair…that we do not believe in our Savior (Jesus) and expect to go to Heaven. If God would let Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. into Heaven then WHY did he send Jesus? If everyone was welcome in there is absolutely no reason that God would send his ONLY son to this earth to be tortured, ridiculed, and murdered.
God sent Jesus as a sacrifice for us. We are people who do and think bad and Jesus comes to present us without blame in front of God. That means that every bad thing you have done is not seen by God if you believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus died for every single person here, it is our choice if we want to accept that and enter into a relationship with him.
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation
Colossians 1:22
But if not everyone goes to Heaven then some people are going to Hell. This was the real focus of the conversation. The family members I was talking to believe that this world is Hell, that we are currently living in it. I must agree with C.S. Lewis when he talks about this. On earth we know what good and bad is, meaning there must be an origin of both good and bad. If you believe in God, who is only good, you must believe in the devil, who is only bad. God has his good dwelling place in Heaven where we can go and know only good, which only makes sense that the devil has his own dwelling place that is only bad and we experience only evil.
I prayed about this and asked for some scripture and God led me to open to Luke 12 Warnings and Encouragements. This is what Jesus told his disciples:
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12:5
This scripture above shows that there is a Hell and that you can go to it.
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Luke 12:8-10
This scripture shows that those who speak against Jesus will be disowned, meaning they are not entering heaven
If you decide to speak up for Jesus this is what happens
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
You must believe in Jesus to enter Heaven, meaning you must repent. This is a decision where you ask for forgiveness for all that you have done and want to live for him! This sounds crazy to many people, and maybe to you who is reading it. You may have tons of questions, doubts, and confusions. The next step is to have faith, if you have faith this all makes sense. Faith is something that cannot be proven since it is believing in the unseen. But here is the good news of God. He wants you and wants to walk with you!!! Jesus says:
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32
Sorry this was so long and if it is confusing please let me know, also if anything I wrote is not Biblical please let me know!!
