I remember reading a comment made by a person who left the Lord’s church years ago stating, “The problem with members of the church of Christ is they don’t have confidence they are going to heaven.” This person may well have encountered Christians who felt that way, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s take a closer look.

The problem faithful people have with stating, “They are going to heaven” has to do with not wanting to take over the Lord’s role as being judge and be presumptuous (II Cor. 5:10). As students of the word,, saints also know that Christ spoke about those who thought for sure they were going to heaven but were mistaken (Matt. 7:21-23).  So how should a child of God deal with this?

It’s important that we see the distinction between trusting in the Lord and trusting in ourselves. All who will be saved are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). Therefore, we know God’s grace is reliable, and we also know Christians can and do walk by faith (II Cor. 5:7). Even though people think grace means God overlooks sin, and people think one can walk by faith without scriptural authority, and creating a false hope, Christians know better.

Just because so many people in their foolish thinking have convinced themselves they are ready, it should not remove the confidence the faithful should have. Having said that, let’s look at the dangers that the Lord’s people face in being over confident.

The apostle Paul told the church at Corinth that they need to “take heed lest you fall” (I Cor. 10:12). There was a negative (warning) but balanced with the positive. We all need to see that there is not a Christian that could ever take heed lest they fall, if they couldn’t know what is right. The fact is, one can know if they are doing wrong, because they know what it means to be doing right and are capable of doing it!

In line with all of this, the same church was told to regularly examine themselves to make sure they are in the faith (II Cor. 13:5). The great thing is, in knowing the standard, they can always get back on track if they find that they have sinned (I Jn. 1:8-10). Our God is faithful and just to forgive us. Salvation is not earned, but it is that which we have to work out with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).

For the most part, answering out loud that we are okay spiritually might cause others to think we are bragging and being arrogant. Even with the cautions put in place over being over-confident, it doesn’t mean Christians can’t be confident. After all, the confidence is in the word of God and His grace. The last thing children of God need to be doing is questioning the inspired word and having doubt. After all, we are clearly told we can know the truth (Jn. 8:32).

Consider this: a man is asked, “Does you’re your wife love you?” If you answer yes, does it mean you’re puffed up as if you are the best husband in the world? It could, but not necessarily. Could it not simply be that you’re confident in your wife’s words and actions that she truly loves you? With such, would it be wrong to have a confidence and feel good inside?  Obviously not. How much more so with our heavenly Father. He knows us and we know Him. We can have faith and with such, we can be pleasing to Him (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6).

We ought to speak like Paul and say, “nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (II Tim. 1:12).

Chuck

It doesn’t make you a false teacher 

 The apostle Paul, like the other apostles, found himself being falsely accused. It can be very frustrating for anyone who has people attack their character with accusations that are not true. On top of that, what makes it worse is when people believe it. The reason these evil doers have success, is because they poison the minds of folks (Acts 14:2). Those who teach God’s word, are not guilty simply because they… 

…have confidence in what they say

Just because someone speaks with conviction, it doesn’t automatically mean they are arrogant and wrong in what they say. Having said that, we must, at the same time interject that being confident in what you believe doesn’t mean you are automatically right (Acts 18:24-26). But back to our first point. There are those who react negatively to someone who speaks with certainty. This does not make a person false teacher. As a matter of fact, one ought to be a little apprehensive to believe someone who is unsure (II Tim. 4:2-5).

…expose those in opposition

It seems politically correct for individuals to stand for something, without standing against. Such should not be the case religiously. How can you stand for truth without standing against error? I know it makes people mad when someone tells them they are wrong, but it doesn’t make someone a false teacher simply because they point the finger (Psa. 119:104; I Jn. 4:1).

…don’t create a grey area

Faithful teachers get themselves in all kinds of hot water when they speak in absolutes. It’s easy to accuse someone by labeling them to others by uttering, “It’s their way or the highway!”  In truth, it is to be the Lord’s way, regardless. The gospel doesn’t leave any wiggle room for those who want to tweak it a little (Gal. 1:6-9; II Jn. 9). When you say that there is but one way, you will find yourself in hot water pretty quick.  The fact is, it doesn’t make you a false teacher when you are uncompromising.

…changed their beliefs

This was the very tactic they used on Paul. They wondered how this person who once persecuted those who followed Christ, now preached Christ (Acts 9:21,23). Just because someone changed what he once believed, doesn’t mean they are a false teacher. It wouldn’t make sense to for someone who realized they were wrong, to change and not share the reasons why. It seems proper to tell others why you changed.

…accepted money for preaching

Knowing that there are plenty of false teachers that are making mega amounts of money for their work, understandably, people are turned off of religion because of that. However, for someone who preaches the gospel and accepts a living wage, it doesn’t mean they are automatically a false teacher. Godly men can accept a wage, just as they did in New Testament times (II Cor. 11:8; I Tim. 5:18). Those who are in it for the money, do so for all the wrong reasons.

…are accused by other teachers

One is not qualified to say someone else is wrong, just because they claim to be someone special. The religious leaders in Christ’s time swayed the people simply because they were “teachers” (Matt. 27:15-26).  Since when is it acceptable for false teachers to accuse, but not be accused? The truth is, there are good reasons to find fault, but these six facts don’t prove anything automatically.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chuck

That is not what I asked

Have you noticed how; when you ask someone a question, they often answer a different one? For example, this often happens when you ask people, “Are you going to heaven?” Many people give a response but do not truly answer the question. As you read this article, ask yourself if you are guilty of answering the wrong question.

When I ask you, “Are you going to heaven?” I am not asking you…

Do you want to go to heaven?

Although this is a good question, desiring to go somewhere and knowing whether you are going somewhere are very different. Some have concluded that they are going to heaven based upon their desire. We know this is true because of what Jesus said will happen in the last day. In Matthew 7:21-23, Christ speaks of the many who will think they are going to heaven merely because they want to go there. Let me be clear – it is good to desire to go to heaven! God’s word tells us of the requirements to actually get there though. Desire does not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

Does God want you to go to heaven?

No Christian should doubt whether our heavenly Father wants us to go to heaven. He sent His Son to die on the cross so that we all might be saved (John 3:16). We are even told that our God does not want anyone to perish (II Pet. 3:9). However, we are not guaranteed to go to heaven just because our Creator wants us to go. It is true that God desires for us to join Him in heaven and thus made it accessible to us, but this does not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

Do others say you are going to heaven?

Many religious people have been misled and now have a false hope of heaven. They believe they are going to heaven because of what their preacher said or because of what their family and friends told them. They are not considering what God has said about the matter. This is like when Eve was told in the garden that she would not die for disobedience when God clearly said she would (Gen. 3:4). Those who think they can blame the preacher or family member who taught error need to remember what Jesus said - when the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14).  The teachings of men do not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

Do you feel like you are going?

It is sad when people are taught that they cannot know whether they are going to heaven. These people often express interest in heaven but only say that they hope to get there. Jesus came to the earth to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). We already discussed how people can have false assurance of heaven, but this does not mean that we cannot know. God’s standards are clear, and we should remember this when asked “Are you going to heaven?”

We can know if we are going to heaven

The fact that we can know whether we are going to heaven means we can also know when we are not going. By looking to the true path described in God’s word, we can know with certainty whether we are on track to go to heaven and can take appropriate action (Matt. 7:13-14). Notice Paul’s confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Tim. 4:7-8).   

Paul’s confidence does not stem from pride or love of self – it stems from confidence in our Lord. All of us are in a fight and a race that we can win, but we need to keep the faith like Paul. May we examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5) and make sure we have a proper assurance that we are going to heaven.                                                                                      

 Chuck