Sincerely Wrong

Many people think they are going to heaven. If you ask them, "Where will you go when you die?" they will reply, "To heaven." But if you press the issue, they usually add, "Well, most likely I will."

They're not completely sure, but hoping real hard. I met a man like this on a plane once. And he was just one story out of many that I've heard. It always makes me sad.

Jesus says we can know for sure we're going to heaven. He doesn't want us to have a "hope-so" kind of philosophy. He didn't say, "People who have not trusted in me as Savior nor received forgiveness for their sins can go to heaven IF they die for me." That's works and it's dependent on man. He did not say, "If you're really, really good and do all sorts of nice things for people and don't curse them out or take drugs or prostitute yourself then you will get to heaven." You see, that's not what he said, but we want to feel like we've done something.

The biggest problem is not wanting to need God or do things his way. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." He didn't say, "Laurie can make for herself the way, she can create her own truth, and bring herself eternal life by trying really hard."

What has been said is: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31b).

What Jesus showed is: Outstretched arms on the cross, pierced feet and hands, an intentional, sacrificial death (Matthew 26-27).

What Jesus gave is: Everything he had, both comfort in heaven and his all on earth (The four gospels). Yeah, that's kind of a lot.

If Jesus thought we could get there on our own then he wouldn't have given the ultimate sacrifice.

6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5).

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Sinners. No chance of redemption or salvation on our own. Ever. So though some may be sincere in their belief that they can get to heaven apart from Christ, they are sincerely wrong.
It is a heartbreaking thought that many are confused or resisting the truth, but we can do something about it. We have a mission. Now that we have a new life (if we have turned from our sin, asked Christ's forgiveness and for him to save us) we are reconciled to God and when we follow him, he can use us. So cool!

Look what is said in I Corinthians 5:17-20:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Not just justified and forgiven and ransomed, but reconcilers for the cause of Christ.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (I Cor 5:21)

MAKE AN APPEAL. People need to hear. I must remember where I was headed and how helpless I was (v.1) so that I will be passionate about telling others about how to know Christ. And how to know they have eternal life for sure. "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (I Cor 5:4-5).

I have a mission. I can make it happen through God. Only God can make my life matter. I want to show those who are sincerely wrong, living life in their own way, hoping for brighter day, that the hope they look for can be found tonight--Jesus Christ can set it right.
And they can be sincerely right.