Hebrews 8-10:18

"For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf." Hebrews 9:24

The other day a family member of mine was telling my kids that good people go to heaven, but only if you're really bad do you go to hell. I'm not exactly sure how that conversation came up, but I'm glad I came in for that part. I really want to punch this idea in the face. It is a lie straight from Satan that we could ever be good enough to present ourselves before God. Who among us has the right to walk into heaven itself straight into the presence of God? Who would have that audacity to think they could do that just because they were nice people?

This is why we NEED a truth that never changes. This is why we need a foundation and a grounding in the word that God provides for us that is so strong, with roots so deep, that no wind could ever shake us. So when we hear ideas like the one this family member shared we can immediately combat it: Christ entered heaven itself to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. And why did he have to do that? Why did he die if we're so good? It's because we're not.

“'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.' 

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin." Hebrews 10:17-18

As the conversation moved forward this family member said, "well I guess we just see things differently." And I asked him what he bases his opinion on? This is a great place to go with people because the opinion of man is ever changing but never new. But God's word never changes. It is not influenced by culture or popular opinion or even one man's opinion. As a church I hope we are basing our lives (decisions, thinking, actions, etc.) on something that endures and is higher than ourselves.