- What about Christians who still do wrong? Will they go to heaven?
- As believers, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into right living and to guide us back onto the path after we fall short of the goal. He comes to reside in us when we truly accept Jesus Christ as the only payment for our sins and, because of His presence, we can expect to become increasingly more godly in our thoughts and actions.
- Galatians 5:22,23
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I expect to see these things developing in believers. But if good works and right living are not evident to me, I know that it is not my place to judge their salvation. There is One who knows all hearts and He will be the ultimate judge.
Belonging to Christ is not a free pass to sin. Besides the Holy Spirit letting us know when we do wrong, Christ will judge His own.
I believe that even believers will account for their actions at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13,14,15
But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
It seems to me that the believer who does not produce work approved by God will be saved but 'as one escaping through flames' will take nothing with him and will receive no rewards.
My greatest joy will be to hear Him say "Well done, good and faithful servant."
(Matthew 25:14-31)
