Only Bad People Go to Heaven

“Only bad people go to heaven.”

Those were the words that I read several years ago now on a sign at the evangelistic book table Jim Wilson used to run at the Farmer’s Market. It seemed like a pretty good sign to get people thinking and I’m sure Jim found it very effective. For it opens the conversational door right up to the heart of the gospel message.

While many people think heaven and hell are all about being more good than bad, or more bad than good, we know as Christians that this is not the case at all. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Only bad people go to heaven because, quite simply, that is the only kind of person there is. As the Psalmist says, there is no one who does good (Ps. 14:3).

And so we know and believe that heaven is open to all who would acknowledge and confess their sin, their “badness,” and who would put their faith in Christ and His righteousness, His “goodness,” alone. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3:36).

In a similar fashion then, we could place a sign at the front of this Table that reads, “Only bad people may partake.” Like heaven, this bread and wine is for sinners. Some Sundays, you may not feel qualified to come to this Table, let alone be in this room. You snapped at your wife. You disrespected your husband. You lied to your parents. You entertained gossip. You gave in to your lust. Is that so? Then confess it now. Call it for what it is. Lay it on Christ. And determine to make it right.

This Table is for those who know their need for Christ—who know they are not good. It is for those who are keenly aware of their remaining sin and freely confess it. Who have found nothing praiseworthy in themselves apart from the work of God.

If you know yourself to be a sinner, you qualify. You may come to this Table—and in fact—you must come. There is only one remedy to your sin and your shame, and that is Christ’s body broken and His blood poured out—for you.

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.