I’m A Hell Bound Good Person
I once had a conversation with a self proclaimed atheist, let’s call him Jim (not his real name). The first part of that conversation dealt with understanding what an atheist was, because he was not one. An atheist is one who lacks a belief in any god, deity, or higher power. Theism, on the other hand, believes there is at least one deity, or higher power. Because Jim had engaged me in a conversation about God, he was likely somewhere in-between those two.
Jim told me a story from his childhood that still caused a bit of confusion for him. The story was about a camping trip he took with his father who was also a professed atheist. One night while staring into space, he asked his father where the universe ended (that’s a mind-blowing exercise). His father had no answer. It was at that point Jim’s curiosity about God was birthed. It was also quickly squashed by the thought that it didn’t matter where it went because all he was taught to care about was himself.
Jim was also a Darwinist, believing evolution and ‘survival of the fittest’ was all that mattered. He also believed anything that hindered his survival and pursuit of self-fulfillment should be pushed out of his life. He actually told me the only reason he didn’t cheat on his wife was because the ‘laws of the land’ created penalties which were too costly to justify the presumed pleasure from cheating (not a great foundation for a marriage).
Jim’s other argument was that he was a good person, generally speaking, and didn’t cheat others, didn’t break the law, and would even help others from time to time.
But in the end, to Jim, it was all about fulfilling his desires, pleasures, happiness, etc. first and foremost while avoiding the pain of penalties created by society.
If Jim was a true Atheist and really believed that the pursuit of happiness was all that mattered, why was he asking me about God? We had a few more conversations but in the end, Jim did not want to give up his ‘all about me’ philosophy to life.
For what it’s worth, I just looked up Jim on Facebook, he apparently got divorced somewhere along the way.
There is a better way to live life…
Perspectives from the Bible about how you were formed, proper desires, real joy & hope, and living life with a God centered purpose:
Psalm 139:13-16, For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Jeremiah 29:13, You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Proverbs 8:17, I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Ephesians 2:10, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And while being a ‘good person’ is the right thing to do,
John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Loving each other and doing good works does not get you to heaven. Works (good deeds) and salvation (acceptance of forgiveness from God), are mutually exclusive,
1 Corinthians 3:14-15, If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Yes, you can be a good person, doing great things, and still go to hell.
Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
There is only one path to heaven,
Romans 10:6-13, But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Now, all of that is based on believing that the Bible is the authentic Word of God, written by men whose words were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For the Atheist,
They do not believe the Bible is God’s Word
If they are correct, then everyone will just die someday and it’s all for nothing
However, if the Atheist is wrong, they are facing eternity in hell
That would be a very costly mistake
From the Christian’s perspective,
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word
If we are wrong we will just die like the Atheist believes
However, if we are correct, we will spend eternity in heaven
Christians also have the added benefit throughout their lives of experiencing greater peace, comfort, strength, encouragement, more meaningful relationships, joy, hope, and knowing there is a greater purpose for their lives in the midst of living in a world that doesn’t always offer those.
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
It’s your choice, I pray you choose wisely
For additional insights on this topic download my free book,
"The Greatest Commandment, A Personal Journey that Changed Everything”
