I never had much interest in poetry. But every once in a while you come across a poem that is unique, makes you laugh, and/or communicates truth. The following one is unnamed by an unknown author concerning heaven. Although it contains some doctrinal inaccuracies, I think it captures a profound truth about the way many of us think when it comes to getting to heaven.
I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door; Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its décor.
But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp; The thieves, the liars, the sinners; The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake.”
“And why is everyone so quiet, So somber; give me a clue.” “Hush, child,” He said, “They’re all in shock! No one thought they’d see you!”
The biggest lie we tell ourselves is that we can be good enough to be accepted by God. That’s because we compare ourselves to others; especially the thieves, druggies, and the immoral. “I’m better than those people”, I tell myself. “God will accept me because I’m a good person”, I reason.
But before a holy God, “there is none righteous, not even one”. (Romans 3:10) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23) Maybe the most self-righteous man before his conversion, the apostle Paul, after his conversion counted all his good works as rubbish (Philippians 3:8). He had hunted down Christians, threw them in jail and had them executed, thinking he was working for the Lord. (Acts 8:3) He approved the killing of Stephen (Acts 8:1). I’m sure he surprised Stephen the day he showed up at the Pearly Gates.
The fact is that heaven will be full of thieves, murders, adulterers, alcoholics, and many others. Rahab was a harlot. Samson was a womanizer. Jacob was a deceiver. David committed adultery and murder. Solomon worshipped other gods, sacrificing his children to them. Some in the Corinthian church got drunk while participating in the Lord’s supper. Others chased after riches and strayed from the faith. (I Timothy 6:10) The Bible is full of imperfect people who will be in heaven. The BIG question, “Will you be there?
There is only one way. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) His death on the cross paid for all of our sins; past present and future. His resurrection proved that He is God and that His sacrifice was all sufficient to restore man’s relationship with God. There’s not one thing we can add to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that will make us more acceptable to God. Will you stand before God one day with all your rubbish? Or will you stand before Him with Jesus as your Savior? It simply requires a faith response from you to the Lord. Will you surprise someone in heaven someday?
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