Isn’t it probable that Jesus (as “Gatekeeper” – see yesterday’s
Blog) would “read the heart” of those who die? Since according to
Matthew 7:22-23 (see below) He will reject many claiming to be
believers, doesn’t it make sense that anyone, including “a
nonbeliever” who has selflessly lived by Jesus’ standards of
compassion (not motivated by ulterior motives) and who has “lived in
the light,” would find favor?
John 8:12
12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of
the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall
have the light of life."
~ New American Standard Version
Matthew 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is
broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
14 "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to
life, and few are those who find it.
~ New American Standard Version
Matthew 7:22-23
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your
name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from
Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
~ New American Standard Version
Those who are dishonest and may think that they can fool God, in the
way that they may be fooling people here in the world, are really
fooling themselves:
Hebrews 4:13
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things
are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
~New King James Version
There aren’t any pat formulas for salvation. Just consider the
ancients who lived before Christ’s birth and resurrection: The decent,
conscientious among them would have welcomed His “radical” teachings of
the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5).
To summarize, it is un-Christian to play god by arrogantly excluding
others on the basis of human-made religious doctrines.
