Do the Good People Go To Heaven?

"Does a good & noble person (like Ghandi, Oprah, or Buddha) get damned to hell because he or she isn't a Christian?"

Again, another great and pointed question...

First of all, we have to be careful when we use words like "good" and "noble." We tend to water those down quite a bit. For example, instant jello is "good" but it's not the same "good" as The CheeseCake Factory's classic strawberry cheesecake, is it?! And it's an even bigger distinction when talking about good in an ethical sense. Is someone who lies a good and noble person? What about someone who commits adultery? Or murder? Or steals? Or acts in selfishness? Absolutely not! And if we are honest, we all do those things...and on a relatively frequent basis.

So it is with Oprah, Buddha, Mother Theresa, and everyone else who walks the earth. We cannot be classified as "good" people...

That leaves a big problem for us when trying to relate to a holy and perfect God.

Plus, He is a righteous judge. That means He has to judge fairly. So if a murderer walks before a judge and is found guilty, if the judge is just then the criminal has to be sentenced accordingly. If the judge fails to do this, he/she will probably be removed from their office!

And so it is with God. He is bound to judge us truthfully...as people who are not good because we have, and continue to, defy Him.

So what is our only hope?!

A judge is bound to give out a sentence that is fitting of the crime. And this is where Jesus comes in...! You see, we all deserve a strong punishment for our actions...there is no getting around this. But thankfully, we were condemned but (Jesus) offered to step in and take our place.

What that means is really simple: When the day of judgment comes (and it will), either we will pay our fine or someone else will have paid it for us (Jesus). Only 2 options. And it is the same for Oprah, Buddha, Mother Theresa, you, and me. Those who CHOOSE to pay it themselves will do so...and those who have thrown themselves on the mercy of Christ will go free into eternal life...

How beautiful and easy is that?!!!!