Again and again, I hear preachers telling mourning loved ones that this person is, without a doubt, in heaven because of how much he loved Jesus, how many people’s lives she touched, how strong his faith was, or how much good she accomplished in her lifetime.
I can’t help but wonder, “Was it enough?” After all, God’s Word commands us to love the LORD God with all our heart, soul, and mind, to love others as much as we love ourselves, and to be holy and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect (Deut. 6:4-5; Lev. 19:2,18; Matt. 22:37-40; Matt. 6:48; 1 Pet. 1:16). It says our best works, in and of themselves, are like filthy and unclean rags in God’s eyes (Isa. 64:6).
So, I want to make a few things clear before I die. I even suggest these words be read on that occasion or printed in my obituary so there is no doubt:
• I won’t be in heaven because of how much I loved Jesus; I will be in heaven because of how much Jesus loved me!
• I won’t be in heaven because I lived a holy and sinless life (I certainly haven’t); I will be in heaven because Jesus lived a holy and sinless life for me!
• I won’t be in heaven because of any good things I’ve done; I will be in heaven because of all the good and perfect things Jesus did for me!
• I won’t be in heaven because of all I’ve sacrificed for Jesus; I will be in heaven because of all Jesus sacrificed for me when He gave His life on the cross and paid the just penalty for my sin.
• I won’t be in heaven because I died a good death for Jesus; I will be in heaven because Jesus died a good death for me, conquered sin and death, and rose again to be my ever-living Savior!
• I won’t even be in heaven because of my solid and enduring faith; I will be in heaven because Jesus gave me His Spirit at my baptism, and the Holy Spirit endured me and patiently, again and again throughout my life, revealed to me my utter sinfulness but comforted me with forgiveness and acceptance for Jesus’ sake!
So, you see, I won’t be in heaven because of me — I’ve failed and come short, but I will be in heaven because of Jesus — He did it all!
The Bible says of all who trust in Jesus and are saved from the eternal wrath and punishment they deserve: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood …” (Rom. 3:23-25).
To quote from the hymn “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness,” written by Ludwig von Zinzendorf and translated by John Wesley nearly 300 years ago, “When from the dust of death I rise to claim my mansion in the skies, e’en then, this shall be all my plea: Jesus hath lived and died for me.”
[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]