How many (or few) people will actually make it to heaven?

[OneLight]

Since Jesus said "make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to" I wonder too much about the "church" and how somewhere around a third of the world's population, don't quote me on that, claims to be Christian. (this includes catholics) But according to our authority, entrance into heaven will be few. I cant help but fear being denied entrance when that day comes. Without counting the population throughout history, so only considering the Christian population now, a THIRD of the world couldn't be a "few" right?! If Jesus returned tomorrow to take his chosen home, would all of us claiming we're Christian be going with him? It can't be! So what kind or type of Christian will actually make it to heaven? Which kinds will not make it? Why not? I don't get it. How do I figure out what church or what denomination I should join and become involved with? When I don't know all the answers? And what if there's not a single denomination or 'unaffiliated' church that has everything right? What if every Church has at least one belief/view/principle of God/Jesus distorted???

 

We read about those who will not make it in various ways.  The narrow gate, those who claim to of done Gods work, those who were not ready, etc.   Who these people are, or how many there will be, only God knows, but we do get an idea as to what Jesus was speaking of.  Look around the world at how many religions there are that believe they are correct, yet reject Jesus, His salvation and even God of scripture, making their own God in their minds. 

 

We all have heard of Muslims, who claim to believe in God, yet reject Jesus as Christ, the Son of the Father and have twisted scripture, causing them to follow a false god. 

 

Then there is the tough question about those who do claim to be Christian by their works, but are not.  These are those who are spoken of in Matthew 25, who, by their works, believed they were assured entrance into heaven, but their works were dead works.  All I can imagine are those who, through publicity, claim to be a Christian, give money and do works here and there, but their heart is in it for themselves and not for God or the ones they are doing things for.

 

Again, looking at Matthew 25, we see that Jesus is speaking of the hearts of people, not their action, though He uses the actions as an example.  I personally believe we will be judged by what is in our heart, our purpose behind our decision, and not the work itself.  An example would be how many atheist do good things for people, but reject God all together.

 

The fruit we produce comes from the heart, not the mind.  The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Some will argue that everyone has these fruits from birth, but these fruits, spoken of in Galatians 5:22, go beyond the natural fruits of man and come from God when we become a new man in Him, where the old man dies.

 

Considering your concern if you will be accepted or rejected, we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  That does not mean we should be cower in the corner, wondering if we will make it or not, but to keep Christ first and foremost in your life, remaining in obedience to His will by walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  We know when we are sinning, if our hearts are not harden, and we need to pay attention to the Holy Spirit as He convicts us of sin so we can repent and change our ways.  This is a life long relationship with God. 

 

Though I believe in eternal security for those who continue to seek His will, I do not believe the version of once you are saved where you can continue to live like the unsaved and make it.  That is false teaching many have fallen into.  But which church you join, of which denomination you join, makes no difference because Jesus did not die for a building or a denomination, He died for you and me, creating a personal relationship.  I personally believe that there will be some who have attended church all their lives that will not be counted as His in the end.  They went through all the movements of a Christian, but in their heart, they never trusted Him nor changed, believing they were "good enough" by their works.  I also believe there are those who do not attend church or join a denomination, but are His in their heart that will be counted His.

 

Man has, through their study of scripture, created a check list, sort of speaking.  Yet, man can never know a persons heart, but only can see their fruit.  Yet, man is also quick to judge and lousy in observing those they do not believe are of God.  They easily miss the fruit due to their blindness, and misjudge.  Don't worry about what man thinks, but what God thinks.  Study scripture, accept Jesus, allow the Holy Spirit to change you into His likeness, seek to be closer to God, keep your ears, eyes and spirit open to His leading and reject the sinful desires of the flesh and He, through His promises, will count you one of His.

 

Remember, even the religious leaders of Jesus day claimed that Jesus was following Satan.  They never knew God, but still was held by man to be their religious leader, their compass to God, pointing the way.  Learn to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit in your heart, even in a crowded room full of distraction, and you will know what to do.