No Matter What?
Is it really possible to get into Heaven NO MATTER WHAT? Surely God would not let someone into Heaven who has been a mean person for many years, or someone who has molested children, or someone who went to prison for defrauding others, or someone who has physically abused a spouse, or killed someone. How could a good God allow someone like that into Heaven?
Those Whom God Chooses
All those whom God has chosen before the foundation of the world will, in fact, be saved in time. The Apostle Paul is a good example. Lydia is another in Acts 16:14 (NIV) where God sovereignly intervenes and opens her heart: “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
When Are Believers Saved?
Believers are saved before their faith ever produces any righteous works. All those whom God has chosen, He will irresistibly call and draw to himself in time. Scripture uses the word “call” in different ways, and it depends on the context in order to determine the meaning.
Outward Call
There is the outward call of the gospel that goes to all people. Everyone is called to repent of sins and trust in Christ. Those who love Christ will long to obey Him John 14:15 & 23. Scripture commands to spread the gospel to all people. We do not know who the elect are, but every person is commanded to repent, so we share the gospel with everyone.
Inward Call
There is also the inward call, which is also referred to as regeneration or new birth. The New Birth is not something that someone discerns and then comes to Jesus. It naturally brings about faith in Christ. It is only those who are inwardly called who respond to the gospel (also known as “the elect”). “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade…” (1 Peter 1:3–4 NIV). That’s why it’s also important to understand that anyone who claims to be a Christian can find evangelicals willing to accept a profession of faith, whether or not the person’s behavior shows any evidence of commitment to Christ. Many are false Christians, thinking they are saved Christians when they are not, based on the evidence. Scripture teaches that salvation is all God’s work.
Not Your Own Effort
Those who believe are saved totally apart from any of their own effort: (Titus 3:5-6)…”he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…”
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