Roadblocks To Heaven

Nearly everyone is interested in making heaven his eternal home. However, Satan, the chief enemy of our souls, does all that he can to set up roadblocks so we will not serve God or make it into the city of God. The Bible tells us that Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. And at the same time he is an angel of light endeavoring to deceive all men.

The chief method that is used in blocking man's entrance to heaven is to make men believe a lie, and cause them not to follow the truth of God's Word. Remember that Jesus said,"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. Therefore with an open mind to what Jesus says, let us examine some of the schemes and misleading methods which Satan sets before men.

The devil is blinding many people's minds and causing them to believe a lie. I would urge you to study the doctrinal teaching of your church on baptism, if your church teaches and practices infant baptism. The Bible teaches that a man must do three things before he is baptized: he must believe in Christ, he must have faith in Christ, and he must repent. Baptism is to follow the experience of true conversion; it is not a substitute for conversion. The teaching of infant baptism is a very definite roadblock to heaven. Why? Because usually when a baby is baptized the parents are taught to believe that this baptism saves the child and makes him a child of God. They are taught that the baptism makes him a Christian. Naturally, if parents are taught this, the same teaching is passed on to the child and he grows up believing that he is a Christian because he was baptized. Dear reader, nowhere does the Bible teach that a baby should be baptized, nor does it teach that the baptism makes him a Christian. There is no record in the Bible of a baby being baptized. It simply was not practiced in the early days of the Christian church. It is one of Satan's snares to lead people away from the Saviour. I have personally met many, many people who claim to be Christians because they were baptized as a baby, but are living in sin and disobedience constantly.

Another roadblock to heaven is the idea, "I'm good enough." This is also known as salvation by good works. Do not be mistaken; good works are important and should be a part of a Christian life. But our good works are not sufficient to bring about salvation or eternal life. We will gain entrance into the kingdom of God only by trusting in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord; asking Him to forgive us our sins and to cleanse our lives. As Jesus said, "We must be born again". We must receive the Saviour by personal invitation. He alone can save us and forgive us our sins. Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ we all stand unclean, as the Bible says, "Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," Isaiah 64:6. No man is good enough to earn heaven or enter the presence of God on his own merits. Jesus came into the world, died on the cross of Calvary, and rose again because we needed His cleansing power. He alone can make us fit for God's holy presence.

Another roadblock to heaven is, "Well, my church doesn't teach the need of conversion." As I visited in a home one day, the lady said, "The church has changed so much and I'm so confused, I don't know what to believe any more. I don't want to get any more confused." This particular church has undergone a great change recently. I would remind you of what Jesus said in John 12:48, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." When you and I stand before God in judgment the important thing will not be whether we have lived by the teachings of the church or by the beliefs of the minister. What will be important is whether or not we have lived by the teachings of the Word of God. We are each expected to read God's Word, and then live by His teaching. The Bible will be the standard by which we will be judged when we stand before God.

There is one more roadblock which needs to be considered; "What will people say?" The fear of man keeps many people from serving God and failing to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord. In our affluent society, there is such a desire to have men's approval, to be acceptable by the majority, to have a good social standing with others. The reason Pontius Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified was because he was "willing to content the people." The Bible speaks of Felix, the governor, who kept Paul a prisoner because he also wanted to do the people a pleasure. Which is more important, to please God or men? To be in favor with God or in favor with men? When you stand before God no one else will be able to give an account for you, but every person will give a personal account of what he did with Jesus. We shall give account of ourselves to God. Others will not be able to save you in that day.

I do not know if there is a roadblock keeping you from a vital relationship with God, but if there is, examine it, push it aside. There is nothing this side of eternity worth your eternal soul. Come to the Saviour, just as you are. He will not turn you away.