Books

Focus On The Fundamentals Of The Faith

By W. Douglass Harris

Easy Ways to Miss Heaven

Mankind seems to be inclined to be interested in the easy ways of life, in which there is no particular harm if we keep our priorities in proper alignment. But easy ways can sometimes cause us to miss heaven with all its beauties and some of the most important lessons in life. Adjustments in life are not always easy, so a lot can be missed by taking the easy way out.

Heaven Can Easily Be Missed

What will it mean to miss heaven? It will mean missing eternity with God, Christ, and the holy angels (John 14:3; 12:26); it will mean missing the eternal rest for which all mankind sighs (Revelation 14:13), and the New Jerusalem with all its beauties (Revelation 21:1-7). It will also land us in eternity with the Devil and his angels in eternal torment (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; Mark 9:48), and with all the evil people of all time (Revelation 21:8). Jesus warned that travelling the broad way is easy in contrast to the strict (difficult) way (Matthew 7:13,14). What are some easy ways to miss heaven?

Infidelity

Infidelity, or unbelief, is one easy way to miss heaven. The writer of Hebrews refers to “the sin which doth so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1,2). What is this sin? The preceding context indicates that it is the sin of unbelief. The writer had warned throughout the book against this (3:12), which was the besetting sin of Israel. When one does not study the Bible, and seriously consider the evidences supporting faith in God and in the Bible, the opposite of faith becomes easy (Romans 10:17). It requires mental effort to study the Bible and to weigh evidence, so many choose the easy way of unbelief, or faith without conviction.

Indulgence

Paul, by inspiration, said that Christians are not to conform to the world (Romans 12:1,2), which is another easy way to miss heaven. It is so easy to be a conformist and travel the road of indulgence, by yielding to peer pressure, to succumb to the pleasures and enticements of the sinful world, to be caught in the pull of the undercurrent of worldliness. As one seeks for social acceptance, it is easy to travel this road. There are frequent warnings in the New Testament (Cf. 1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). It requires no courage or character to go this route. Christ enjoins Christians to be influences for good (Matthew 5:13-16), and if they fail in this, they are travelling the broad (easy) way that leads to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13,14).

Indifference

Another easy way is suggested in the judgment of Christ on the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-17). They were lukewarm, which made the Lord sick. It is easy to travel the way of indifference. Jesus warned against the futility of doing such (Cf. Matthew 7:21-23). He portrayed in this passage those who are honest and sincere as arguing with Him at the judgment, but were too indifferent to enquire and search for the right way. It requires effort to assume responsibility — to study to learn the saving truth as distinguished from damnable error, to make God-approved choices, so men excuse themselves and appease their consciences, but they need to remember where this way leads.

Inactivity

In the Lord’s letter to the church at Sardis, another road of ease is suggested (Cf. Revelation 3:1-4). He said they had a name that they lived, but that they were dead spiritually. This suggests inactivity — they were not doing anything in the kingdom. This is the next step after indifference of which the church at Laodicea was guilty. It is easy to salve our consciences with excuses for our listlessness, coast along in life, and not complete the course to win the Crown of Life. It is easier to relax at home than to exert the energy to serve, but we need to think of the destiny of this course of life (Cf. Matthew 25:41-46).

Intention

Another easy way to miss heaven is suggested by the writer of Hebrews when he said, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1-3). Neglect is a serious thing and often suggests intentions of doing good. People think that because their thoughts are good and intend to do certain good things that they are all right. Hence, it is easy to postpone service to God with appeased minds. Knowing and intending right is not enough (James 4:17). It has been said that the way to eternal destruction is paved with good intentions. It has been described as mankind’s greatest and most tragic spiritual danger (Cf. Matthew 7:21-24).

Conclusion

Although these ways seem easy, they become difficult when the consequences are realized. Missing heaven will be the greatest tragedy that could happen to any of us. It will mean eternal separation from God and the reunion with our redeemed loved ones — everything! Just a knowledge of the rewards makes the way to heaven easy.

(Note: The alliteration used for the sub-topics was taken from a sermon preached by a former college roommate, Elvis H. Huffard.)