June 16

Of those responding, 76% believe there is a heaven. And 71% say there is also a hell. Here's what's dumbfounding. Only one half of one percent actually think they'll end up in hell after they die.

In other words, the vast majority of people are convinced they'll end up in heaven (whatever they think heaven will be.)

How can so many people be so sure?

Is it because "all good people go to heaven?" This could prove to be problematic.

Romans 3:10-12 says, "As it is written, 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.'"

It seems a lot of Americans have a difference of opinion with God. It seems a lot of Americans are believing something that isn't true.

Romans 1:18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

No one likes being told they don't measure up. So rather than fail at the game, we'd all prefer to reset the rules. Suppress the truth by creating our own illusion - that I (and the people I like) are good enough, thereby qualified for a heavenly reward.

We're all quite adept in horizontal comparisons. As long as I look better than the next guy, I win. Problem is, God tells us we all fail the vertical comparison test.

Compared to Him and His standards, we don't win. If we include the "no one seeks God," we're doubly done in.

That'll be a shocker to anyone assuming a really sweet heaven, and instead find themselves face to face with a Creator God who is none too happy.

Later in Romans 3, it says, "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it - the righteousness of God through faith In Jesus Christ for all who believe...whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith."

Whenever you see a sentence in the Bible that starts with "But now..." it's almost always good news to follow.

When none of us were seeking God, He reached out to us. He "put forward" the means (called "propitiation") for His anger against our sin to be satisfied, quenched, eliminated.

Our "goodness" won't help determine our destiny. Our "niceness" doesn't pay the entrance fee. But those with faith in the goodness of Jesus, that He alone was able and willing to pay our price, to us has been granted the assured promise of life in the new heavens and new earth.

Best part? With God Himself. Right there with us!

In the world He will re-create. Not in some made-up fantasy land.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau