Introduction
Life after death is not that difficult to believe. Neither is the idea that God will reward and punish us for how we lived. However, what is difficult is the extreme way God rewards and punishes.
We expect a sliding scale of rewards and punishments — something which reflects the good and bad we have done. Yet the Bible says we will end up in one of only two possible destinations when we die —heaven which is extremely good and hell which is extremely bad.[1] There is no middle way. Why is God so extreme?
Why is God so extreme?
God is naturally extreme. He is infinitely merciful, forever loving, completely righteous and perfectly holy.[2] He therefore deals with sin in an extreme way. No-one carrying any sin, however small, can come near Him because His holy nature would demand immediate judgment.[3] God has to express His complete and perfect hatred of sin and hell is the way He does this.
God is also extreme in the way He loves.[4] If we are cleansed from our sins, we will be able to enter and remain in His presence. There will be nothing to prevent us receiving the full measure of His love and goodness. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”.[5]
Who goes to heaven?
God sees us as sinners [6] there is no one who does good, not even one [7]; therefore, our default destination is hell and not heaven. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? [8]
We have to become righteous in order to enter heaven and we need Jesus to help us do this.[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.[10]
Why can’t everyone go to heaven?
It would not be heaven if everyone went there and continued to do wrong. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful.[11]
Also, not many want to be born again.[12] They are too concerned with life’s worries, riches and pleasures [13] rather than to pay the cost.[14] Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.[15] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.[16]
We can’t leave it until we get to heaven to change our nature. People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.[17] It’s too late then.
Only when we believe and follow Jesus will God see us as righteous.[18] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.[19]