Recently I have seen and heard a few Pastors of mega churches make the statement that who goes to heaven is up to God, and that they are not going to judge people. Taken out of context theses statements seem to say that there is more than one to Heaven and that Jesus was not the only way. This has drawn a fire storm of retorts from some other mega church Pastors, isn't amazing how fast a bunch of people who claim to love Jesus, can start fighting over misunderstood wording. I sure I have made some dumb statements through out my life, anyone who would deny making dumb statements is fooling themselves only. If someone dissected every word I have said over the years of teaching, preaching and public speaking, I am sure that I could be drawn and quartered for something, if you speak in public enough you will sooner or later say something that can be taken the wrong way.
I think it is time for the church to put petty differences behind us and start loving people like Jesus wants us to do, I don't think Jesus really cares if you are Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Catholic or just no general denomination at all. He called us to love each other.
A friend of mine once summed the New Testament up in a few words and it stuck with me and today I am still use this. Love God and Love Others, the rest is commentary. Now before anyone breaks out the stake and sticks to burn me at the stake, let me say this: I believe Jesus is God in the flesh, Emmanuel. I believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, "No man come to the Father, except through me", Jesus., I believe in answered prayers and healing and speaking in tongues. I believe in salvation by faith and in grace. I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and without error. I also believe that all this without Love is just noise and more noise. The greatest commandment Jesus gave me was to Love God and Love others, and I love God through Jesus and I love others through Jesus.
No, it is not my job to judge who goes to heaven, that is God's job and I do not want it. He made a way for those of us who were lucky enough to hear the Gospel, but Romans tells us that to the un-evangelized, creation testifies about God and His glory. I am glad to have heard the Gospel and to be sure of the hope that is within me, for those who have heard the Gospel, but walked away, my heart breaks, for those who have not heard the Gospel, I pray that missionaries and ministers will arrive for them. For those who may never hear the Gospel because of location or situation, I pray that God reveals His glory and plan to them.
It is time for the church to stop "splitting hairs" as my mother would say and get on with the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Blessing to all.
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