All Good Dogs Go to Heaven!
The title of a children’s movie released in 1989, which means many of you were likely not even born yet. We still hold a similar sentiment for our pets today. The US pet industry generated $123 billion of revenue in 2021 with 32% of millennials and 24% of GenX participating in pet ownership, excluding fish.
Most of us wish our pets could go to Heaven, and certainly a small group actually believe their pets will. But how many of us put the same energy and attention into what it takes for us to be invited into Heaven?
Unfortunately, not all “Good” people go to Heaven. The Bible is pretty clear on what it takes to achieve everlasting life. Sure, you can break it down into one or two verses related to “believing” or “confessing and speaking” but in reality just believing isn’t enough. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
But is that it?
Just believe?
Yes..but, James 2:19 tells us “You believe that there is one true God, good for you. Even the demons believe this, and tremble”. The full context of James Chapter 2 is referring to the belief or having faith..without deeds - is dead, further citing Abraham’s actions in having faith when placing his son Issac on the altar.
So, it looks like believing is first, followed by actions that verify such beliefs. I mean, if you believe your car brakes are working you start the car and head down the street..applying pressure when necessary, without concern. When we don’t believe, we have a totally different set of behaviors.
If and once you truly believe, your actions should reflect such. In John 13:34 -35 Jesus says “A new commend I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I bring this to a point to illustrate that sure, we can maintain good behavior, but it's not by those works that save us. We have to believe and allow our actions to set the tone for continued behaviors.
Titus 3:5 reads, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost”.
About two months ago, I had the pleasure of being one of about 100 people at my tech firm to lose their jobs and in the subsequent weeks to be denied 3 or 4 roles I really thought I’d enjoy. I’d prayed about it all, and so I’m feeling pretty confident God is encouraging me to return to entrepreneurship. During this time of total flexibility and full autonomy of my calendar, I’ve gotten to travel a bit, visit family and some friends and also resume some previous business interests.
These travels and related activities have taken me back into time through relationships with people who have known me well prior to my rededication to and conviction for Christ. Several who have kept up with me on social media and have simply stated… “you’re a different man now, why?”.
My common response is always, “I’m a believer and aim to secure my soul’s eternity”.
Some have responded to me with things like, “You were already a good guy”, or “You’re not a bad guy”, or even suggested “All the philanthropy you’ve done”, is enough.
And. So. I realize that many people really do think that just by being a good person is enough to get into Heaven, which is simply just as fiction as the movie.
Maybe you are a good person. Maybe you were a good person and have struggled with one thing or another lately. Maybe you don’t even know what a good person really looks like these days, yet are curious about securing your soul's eternity.
Certainly the world needs good people but more importantly than that, you need Christ to get to Heaven. Jesus says in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” Not a single Bible verse will portray a scenario whereby simply doing good deeds gets you eternal life.
Let me encourage you today and commend you for being an outstanding person, but also invite you to learn more about receiving everlasting life.
Please contact me if you’re even slightly curious about why I’ve changed or how I was able to become this new person. Or, perhaps you don't know me at all and are seeking to get closer with God. Just remember, your salvation is already been paid for and tomorrow isn’t promised, so make the most of today!
Stay Encouraged
Aaron