Will Sinners Enter Heaven?

Daily Devotional – Friday, March 18, 2022

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)

Recently, I made a rather controversial comment on a Facebook post. It read, “Only the righteous will enter heaven.” My response was, “Forgiven sinners will enter heaven.”

My assertions raised some heat but the issue is very clear in the Bible. Consider Paul’s statement in Romans 3:23, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

I am the Chief of Sinners

I love another of Paul’s statements in First Timothy 1:15: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Why did one of the greatest advocates of righteous call himself the chief of sinners? Previously, his name was Saul. He actively persecuted Christians until the day God arrested and forgave him on the road to Damascus.

Will Paul be in heaven? I have no doubt. Why? Because Jesus looked for Saul the persecutor and forgave him. The chief of sinners will be in heaven because of God’s righteousness, not his own.  

Will Sinners Enter Heaven?

Other forgiven chiefs of sinners who will be in heaven include Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David and Peter. It is all about accepting Jesus as your personal Savior and allowing Him to cover you with His robe of righteousness.

Will sinners enter heaven? The unrepentant ones will not. The forgiven ones (the righteous) will. By God’s grace, you and I will enter heaven after Jesus returns to take us home.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You because, courtesy of Your forgiveness, I will be in heaven as a forgiven sinner.