Heaven

Have you ever gone to a funeral and family and friends speak of the deceased as a wonderful person? They are smiling in heaven they would say. They are in a better place another would comment. “Now he is doing his favorite thing in Heaven”.  It seems that every funeral I go to everyone goes to Heaven. I know it’s a comfort response, but for once I would like to hear someone say, at funeral, John Doe was a great person but he lived a devilish life and didn’t know Jesus so he probably is in hell.  That would be a real hoot, wouldn’t it?

What inspired me to write this current blog was the recent death of Paul Walker. He was a famous actor from the movie series Fast and the Furious. Paul Walker died in a fiery car crash in California early December at a charity event he sponsored. He was the passenger of a Porsche his friend was driving. The car went out of control and hit a pole and tree. The car was cut in half and burst into flames. Both occupants were killed instantly. I am not picking on Paul, just using him as an example. It was a real shock worldwide when he died, not only to his family, not only to the acting community, but to his fans. As soon as his death was reported I read in the newspapers comments from his friends. Comments such as “Paul is now racing in Heaven” or “Paul died what he loved to do best and now he is doing it in Heaven”.  Again, it’s the comfort response.  I don’t personally know Paul Walker. I am sure he was a great guy. I don’t know where his heart was upon death. I don’t know if he cried out to Jesus before he hit. His public persona did not indicate any personal relationship to Jesus. I am not passing judgment I am only stating an opinion.

The only guarantee of eternal life in heaven with God is a personal relationship with Jesus. That’s the only way (John 14:6, John 3:16). In the secular world people would say “that comment is narrow minded. There are many paths to Heaven”. Yes the comment is narrow minded. God is narrow minded. God states in Matthew 7:13 that “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life and there are few who find it”. God is telling us that Heaven is not going to be that crowded. When it comes to salvation and eternal life there is only one way and that’s through Jesus. God doesn’t cave to secular thinking. He doesn’t cave to the popular concept of many paths to Heaven. There is only one narrow path and that’s through Jesus. Often you will hear statements that the newly deceased person was good, had a kind heart, worked with the homeless, gave money to the poor, etc. In Paul Walkers case he started a Charity Reach Out Worldwide. It’s a great charity that serves people in need, but starting charities or helping the homeless or donating time and money to causes doesn’t give you a free pass into Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-7).  Who created the good person rule book. In the good person rule book who determines a person has enough points to get into Heaven. There is no such thing. That is the beauty of Jesus. You don’t have to do anything. Eternal life through Jesus is a free gift given to all of us from God. If you don’t understand the concept that such a richly gift must be paid for understand that it was paid for. It was paid for by the death and suffering Jesus took on our behalf.

I don’t know if Paul Walker had a personal relationship with Jesus. I hope and pray he did. My prayers continue for the Paul Walker family and that Jesus comforts them during these difficult times.

If and when it is time for me to be taken home to Jesus I want everyone to know where my heart was and is. I don’t want anyone to question or doubt that Jesus was primary in my life. Because of my relationship with Jesus He counts me as a Citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Are you?