Rethinking Heaven: Beyond Goodness and Assurance

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the common belief that good people go to heaven and the assumptions that underpin this idea. Many people, especially in America, hold the belief that heaven is a place for good people and that they themselves are good enough to go there. This belief is comforting and seems fair, as it aligns with the notion of a just and good God. However, upon closer examination, this belief system quickly unravels due to several unsettling realities.

Firstly, there is no universally agreed-upon standard of what constitutes "good." Throughout history and across cultures, the definitions of good and bad have varied significantly. What was considered good in one era or culture might be seen as bad in another. This inconsistency makes it difficult to determine what actions or behaviors would qualify someone for heaven.

Secondly, the Bible, often cited as a moral guide, does not provide a clear standard for earning a place in heaven. In fact, the New Testament suggests that no one can achieve righteousness through their own actions. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, indicating that human efforts alone are insufficient for salvation.

Furthermore, the idea that good deeds can outweigh bad ones is problematic. We don't know what percentage of our actions need to be good, nor do we know if our thoughts and motives are taken into account. This uncertainty leaves us in a precarious position, unsure of where we stand in terms of eternity.

Ultimately, the belief that good people go to heaven paints a picture of a God who is not good, just, or fair, as it leaves us without clear guidance or assurance. Instead, Jesus taught that good people don't go to heaven; rather, He instructed His followers to be good and do good, not as a means to earn heaven, but as a reflection of God's goodness.

Key Takeaways:

- The belief that good people go to heaven is comforting but flawed. It lacks a universal standard of goodness, making it difficult to determine who qualifies for heaven. This inconsistency challenges the notion of a just and fair God. [07:06]

- The Bible does not provide a clear standard for earning a place in heaven. Instead, it emphasizes that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, suggesting that human efforts alone are insufficient for salvation. [15:28]

- The idea that good deeds can outweigh bad ones is problematic. We don't know what percentage of our actions need to be good, nor do we know if our thoughts and motives are taken into account. This uncertainty leaves us unsure of our standing in terms of eternity. [18:03]

- Jesus taught that good people don't go to heaven. Instead, He instructed His followers to be good and do good, not as a means to earn heaven, but as a reflection of God's goodness. This teaching challenges the notion of a cosmic scale of good and bad deeds. [27:19]

- If Jesus is correct, God is not trying to catch us doing wrong to condemn us. Instead, God sent Jesus to save the world, not by updating a list of rules, but by inviting us to place our trust in Him. This assurance allows us to grieve with hope and live with confidence in our relationship with God. [33:56]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Heaven Series
[01:03] - Common Beliefs About Heaven
[02:07] - Assumptions About Goodness
[03:15] - The Fairness of Goodness
[05:19] - The Ought To Pressure
[06:09] - Problems with Goodness as a Standard
[07:06] - Lack of Universal Standard
[09:04] - Historical Shifts in Morality
[12:05] - The Bible's Role in Defining Goodness
[15:28] - The New Testament's Perspective
[18:03] - The Uncertainty of Good Deeds
[21:24] - The Absurdity of the Goodness System
[27:19] - Jesus' Teachings on Goodness
[33:56] - Assurance Through Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
3. Matthew 5:44-45 - "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven."

Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the common beliefs about who goes to heaven, as discussed in the sermon? [01:21]
2. According to the sermon, why is the idea that good deeds can outweigh bad ones problematic? [18:03]
3. How does the sermon describe the Bible's role in defining goodness and the standard for heaven? [12:05]
4. What did Jesus teach about who goes to heaven, according to the sermon? [27:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the lack of a universal standard of goodness challenge the belief that good people go to heaven? [07:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human efforts are insufficient for salvation? [15:28]
3. How does Jesus' teaching on being good and doing good differ from the idea of earning a place in heaven? [27:19]
4. What implications does the sermon suggest about God's character if good people going to heaven is the standard? [21:24]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own beliefs about heaven. How have they been influenced by cultural or religious assumptions? [01:21]
2. Consider the idea that good deeds cannot outweigh bad ones. How does this perspective affect your understanding of salvation and grace? [18:03]
3. How can you align your actions with Jesus' teaching to be good and do good, not as a means to earn heaven, but as a reflection of God's goodness? [27:19]
4. In what ways can you place your trust in Jesus, as opposed to relying on your own efforts, for assurance of salvation? [33:56]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with the concept of goodness. How can you seek guidance from the Bible and Jesus' teachings to address this struggle? [12:05]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of grieving with hope, as mentioned in the sermon, when facing loss or uncertainty? [31:03]
7. Think of a person in your life who challenges your ability to do good. What steps can you take to show them kindness and reflect God's love? [28:08]

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Goodness as a Path to Heaven
The belief that good people go to heaven is comforting but flawed. It suggests a fair and just God, yet lacks a universal standard of goodness, making it difficult to determine who qualifies for heaven. This inconsistency challenges the notion of a just and fair God. The idea that one's goodness can be measured against a cosmic scale is problematic because it assumes a standard that does not exist. Without a clear guideline, individuals are left to their own interpretations, which can vary widely. This belief system, while comforting, ultimately fails to provide the assurance and clarity that many seek in their spiritual journey. [07:06]

"For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." (Romans 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you judged someone based on your own standards of goodness. How can you shift your perspective to see them through God's eyes instead?


Day 2: The Insufficiency of Human Efforts for Salvation
The Bible does not provide a clear standard for earning a place in heaven. Instead, it emphasizes that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, suggesting that human efforts alone are insufficient for salvation. The New Testament, particularly through the writings of the Apostle Paul, underscores the idea that righteousness cannot be achieved through human actions. This perspective challenges the belief that one can earn their way to heaven through good deeds. It invites individuals to recognize their limitations and to seek a relationship with God that is based on grace rather than merit. [15:28]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you rely on your own efforts rather than God's grace. How can you begin to trust more in His grace today?


Day 3: The Uncertainty of Balancing Good and Bad Deeds
The idea that good deeds can outweigh bad ones is problematic. We don't know what percentage of our actions need to be good, nor do we know if our thoughts and motives are taken into account. This uncertainty leaves us unsure of our standing in terms of eternity. The concept of a cosmic scale where good and bad deeds are weighed is fraught with ambiguity. Without a clear understanding of what is required, individuals are left in a state of perpetual uncertainty, questioning whether they have done enough to secure their place in heaven. This uncertainty can lead to anxiety and a lack of peace in one's spiritual journey. [18:03]

"Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults." (Psalm 19:12, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a recent decision where you were unsure if it was right or wrong. How can you seek God's wisdom and guidance in similar situations?


Day 4: Jesus' Teachings on Goodness and Salvation
Jesus taught that good people don't go to heaven. Instead, He instructed His followers to be good and do good, not as a means to earn heaven, but as a reflection of God's goodness. This teaching challenges the notion of a cosmic scale of good and bad deeds. Jesus emphasized that the focus should be on living a life that reflects God's love and grace, rather than trying to earn salvation through good works. This perspective shifts the focus from self-reliance to a reliance on God's grace and mercy, encouraging individuals to live out their faith in a way that honors God. [27:19]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can reflect God's goodness in your actions today. How can this change your interactions with others?


Day 5: Assurance Through Trust in Jesus
If Jesus is correct, God is not trying to catch us doing wrong to condemn us. Instead, God sent Jesus to save the world, not by updating a list of rules, but by inviting us to place our trust in Him. This assurance allows us to grieve with hope and live with confidence in our relationship with God. The message of Jesus is one of grace and redemption, offering a path to salvation that is not based on human efforts but on faith and trust in Him. This assurance provides a foundation for living a life of hope and confidence, knowing that one's relationship with God is secure through faith in Jesus. [33:56]

"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step towards trusting Him more today?

Quotes

"Now, the problem with the, good people go to heaven thing is this, that most people who believe that, maybe you're one of those people, chances are you haven't given it a lot of thought. And I understand why you haven't given it a lot of thought because you're busy and how can we know? And it's just, it just sort of hangs out over us and again, everybody can't be wrong and this seems to be some sort of a universal assumption. But on closer examination or when you begin to scratch beneath the comforting surface of, 'Hey, I think good people go to heaven and I'm a good person,' the good people go to heaven theory or idea, it breaks down quickly." [00:06:09]

"The human race has no indisputable agreed-upon, divinely-revealed standard. So if there's a God that's gonna let us into heaven because we're good, then God should have let us know what good is, there should be some universal, like, the whole world understands this is good, this is bad, this is right, this is wrong, this is good, this is evil. But there is no multi-generational, and that's the part we forget about, it's not just a snapshot of this generation, you know, in our year and, you know, the modern world. There's no multi-generational universal set of rules to measure our behavior against." [00:07:06]

"Now, the New Testament is actually worse. Because the New Testament is full of stuff about heaven. In fact, in the New Testament there's more said about heaven than any other ancient literature that talks about the afterlife by far. There's so much about eternity and so much about heaven, but the New Testament's a bit of a tease, because in the New Testament, if we're trying to find a way to work our way to heaven, the message is 'Good luck, you're doomed.' I mean, here's what Paul wrote, and Paul was a great Jew. He was a Pharisee, he was like, Paul was one of the goodest, no, it's not the right, really a word, he was one of the goodest of all the good people." [00:15:28]

"Second problem with the, good people go to heaven, is, we don't know what percentage of our actions have to be good to make the cut. Is it like a test, like, you have to have 70% good or is it 50% good? Is it 20% good? The point is, you have no idea. First of all, we don't even know what good is exactly and we don't know what percentage of our deeds have to be good to make the cut to get to heaven, nobody told us. Does God factor in our environment? Well, I don't know if that's a good thing or not because I grew up in an environment where I am, like, beyond, I am so accountable, like I mentioned before, I'm a preacher's kid, I knew all the chapters and verse, I mean, I knew about sin before I even knew what the sin was." [00:18:03]

"If good people go to heaven, if there's some cosmic scale, if that's how it really works, if good people go to heaven, but God never took the time to explain to us what good is and how it works, and if it's a percentage, do motives count, if all of that is a complete mystery and our eternity depends on it, well then, God is not good. I mean, what do you call a teacher? What do you call a teacher who doesn't give you any notes or any reading assignments, just a final exam and never post the date of the final exam? You don't call that a good teacher." [00:21:24]

"According to Jesus, good people don't go to heaven, according to Jesus, it's the very opposite of what most people who believe there's a heaven actually think and believe. And the fact that Jesus didn't believe that good people go to heaven, that doesn't necessarily make it true, that's just what He taught and that's what He said, and clearly it's what He believed. But at the same time, and here's the gotcha, here's the strange thing, here's the sit up straight and pay attention, here's the wow, you know, that's something to consider. Jesus did not teach that good people go to heaven, but Jesus instructed His followers to be good, and more than that, to do good, to be good and to do good to each other and to be good and to do good to their enemies, which means Jesus believed we are capable of doing good, and Jesus believed that we are able to recognize the difference between good and bad, good and evil, what's good for another person and what's not good for another person." [00:27:19]

"If Jesus is who His first century followers claimed He is, that's really good news. You don't have to lie to your children, you don't have to lie to your grandchildren. Let me tell you what's good news, and again, this is my world. When you lose a loved one, you can grieve with hope, you can full on grieve with hope. I've done so many funerals and most of the funerals I do I'm surrounded by Jesus followers who grieve with hope. But I've done some gravesides and I've done some funerals where it was all grief, very little hope. If good people go to heaven and you have no idea how the system works, there's not much hope. And yet the followers of Jesus stated clearly, you can grieve with hope." [00:33:56]

"If Jesus was correct, this is so amazing. Don't let your mind rush ahead, okay? If Jesus was correct, 'God so loved the world' that He showed up. And He didn't have to show up every generation to update the rules, He showed up one time to show us the way, to tell us the way, and then when Jesus was questioned, as blasphemous as this was, He said, 'Fellas, I am the way.' Instead of giving us a list, God gave us Himself. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,' that whoever behaves like Him, that whoever behaves correctly, whoever does more good than bad? No, this is why you gotta take Jesus outta the equation, the, good people go to heaven, equation." [00:35:55]

"Whoever puts their trust in Him, believes in Him, that person will not be lost to God regardless of what they've done or didn't do. 'Will not be lost to God,' or your English texts, 'Will not perish,' but they'll have something the Old Testament never refers to. In the context of life after death, you'll have eternal life. If Jesus was correct, this is amazing, and lemme tell you who wrote this, okay? This is John. I say this all the time, but I'm gonna keep saying it. This is John who spent three and a half years with Jesus, saw the whole thing, John who took care of Mary's mother after the fact. Don't you know he had great questions, okay, like, when he was 11, about when he was 10, about when he was 12, okay? About him, his brothers and sisters." [00:37:55]

"If Jesus is correct, God is not trying to catch us doing wrong to condemn us. He says, 'For God did not send Jesus into the world to catch people doing wrong and to condemn people for doing wrong or to condemn the world, but to save the world.' And John will tell us, 'And here's how He's gonna do it, not by updating a list every generation, He's gonna do it through Him,' that He only needed to come one time because He didn't give us a to-do list, He gave us a who and invited all of us to place our trust in Him. And that all of our evil and bad, unintentional deeds, regardless of motive and upbringing and context and everything else, that that would be paid for and wiped away so that we could mourn with assurance, that we wouldn't have to lie to our kids, and so that you can lay in bed at night and stare at the ceiling and know that things are good between you and God and it has nothing to do with what you did." [00:40:00]

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Transcript
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