That's right. There is a big "IF." You don't go to heaven just because you are human. Unfortunately, although God desires everyone to be in heaven with Him, people choose the world and reject God.
There are three kinds of people. Those who reject God outright. An example would be atheists. Those who follow an imaginary god. That includes Hindus, Muslims, Mormons, Catholics, and many people who call themselves Christian. And there are those who believe in and trust the true creator God of the Bible.
This brings us to the big question...
God gives the answer in His Word (the Bible)... It has nothing to do with how good you are. The Bible is clear. God's Word does not say good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. Let me explain.
I'm a big dinosaur. With my head up so high in the air I hear a lot things, including you humans talking. And most of you think you are going to heaven because you are good... or at least good enough to get into heaven. And you are right. Good people do go to heaven. But, what defines a good person? Who sets the standard of "goodness" that is good enough to get into heaven?
God sets the standard and that standard is perfection. To be "good" you must be perfect. God has even given you a way to find out if you are perfect. It's the Ten Commandments. Basically, if you've perfectly obeyed all of the Ten Commandments, all of your life, then you are perfect. How about it? Would you like to take the test?
How many lies have you told? Have you ever taken something that does not belong to you? Even something small, or downloading music from the internet? That would be two of the Ten Commandments, lying and stealing.
Have you ever been unjustly angry with someone? In Matthew 5 Jesus says that being angry at someone is like murdering them in your heart. You see, God looks at your heart... your thoughts. For example, have you ever looked at another person with lust? That is adultery of the heart.
That's just four of the Ten Commandments, and all it takes is breaking one! There is no doubt... no one meets the the standard of "good" required to get into heaven. Not one. You've broken God's laws. You've done the crime(s) and so you must pay the time... eternity in the lake of fire. (Revelation 21:8)
You've hear of Jesus? I have, and I'm a dinosaur. Jesus is God who came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross giving that perfect life to you. You did the crime, but Jesus did the time... and He is willing to give that gift to you. That's right, it's a free gift!
If you repent (turn away from disobeying God) and turn to God... trust that Jesus is God who died in your place to pay the penalty you've earned for breaking God's laws... believing that your penalty was paid in full on the cross... He gives you that gift. And to demonstrate this is true, that you can trust His promises, on the third day after He died, He rose from the dead, demonstrating there truly is life after death.
It's your choice. No matter what you do, you cannot get into heaven on your own. Turn to Jesus today. Trust that He has paid your penalty for sin in full.
Recommended churches on the Oregon North Coast:
Recommended church in the Portland, Oregon Area:
The Good Person Test: www.911Christ.com