First Baptist Church Daingerfield, Texas

Lie #7: Everyone Goes to Heaven

Would you like to know the future?
Your future job? Your future love?
The direction of the stock market?
How about how long you’ll live—or what happens when you die?

Jesus once preached His most famous sermon to a crowd seated on a hillside. It’s known as The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).
That one sermon has shaped the course of history. Figures as different as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all pointed to it as a guide for life.

But Jesus ended that sermon not with comfort, but with a warning about eternity.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name
and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
(Matthew 7:21–23)

Jesus’ words reveal the most important truth about our future:
At the end of life, we will all stand before Him—and He alone decides who enters heaven.

All Roads?

I’ve heard people say that all religions are just different paths up the same mountain, eventually meeting at the top before God.

In one sense, that’s true—every person of every faith (or none) will one day stand before God.
But, Jesus says, not everyone goes to heaven.

Getting to the mountain top doesn’t mean getting in.
At the summit stands Jesus, and many will hear Him say, “Away from Me.”

Who Gets Turned Away?

It’s shocking who Jesus says will be turned away:
Not the criminals or the godless—but religious people.

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name… drive out demons… perform many miracles?’”

They were preachers, miracle workers, ministry leaders—people who looked impressive and sounded devoted.
But Jesus didn’t know them.

What’s the Problem?

When I first read this passage, my heart sank.
If even these people were turned away, what hope is there for me?

Let’s examine:

• Were they lying about what they did?
  → No. Jesus doesn’t deny their works.
• Were they disrespectful toward Him?
  → No. They call Him “Lord” with passion.
• Were they ashamed of Him?
  → No. They preached boldly in His name.

So what went wrong?

Jesus explains later:

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life,
and I will raise them up at the last day.”
(John 6:40)

It wasn’t their works that failed—it was their hearts.
They trusted in what they did for Jesus instead of trusting in Jesus.

The Thief’s Example

One of the most powerful moments in Scripture happens on another hill—the hill of Calvary.
Next to Jesus hangs a dying criminal, who whispers:

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:42–43)

That thief couldn’t reform his life, give to charity, or join a church.
He simply believed—and that was enough.
Jesus welcomed him home.

The Truth: Not Everyone Goes to Heaven—But Anyone Can

God’s will for us isn’t about where we live or what job we take.
It’s about our relationship with Him.
He calls us to repent of sin and place genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
That is how to make sure Jesus knows your name—and welcomes you in.

An Illustration

My friend, the Olympian marathon runner Wesley Korir, once invited my family to watch him compete in the Chicago Marathon. Afterward, we followed him through press areas, interviews, and post-race events. Everywhere we went, guards stopped me—until Wesley turned and said, “It’s okay, he’s with me.”

That’s how it will be at heaven’s gate.
When the Father looks our way, Jesus will step forward and say,

“It’s okay. He’s with Me.”

The Coming Day

Jesus said:

“Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)

Those who point to Jesus, not themselves, will hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)

Heaven will overflow with light and joy. Pain, loss, and death will be no more.
We will live life as it was meant to be—fully known and fully loved.

Reflection

A Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
thank You for speaking truth in love.
Forgive me for trusting in myself or in what I’ve done for You.
I place all my faith in You alone—my Savior, my way, my truth, and my life.
Help me live today with confidence that when I stand before You,
I’ll hear You say, “He’s with Me.”
Amen.