It is possible to get to heaven without money. Many a pauper without a cent in the bank has been welcomed to the Father’s house, while many a millionaire has found his wealth a millstone to crush his Christless heart. The Apostle Peter once spoke these burning words to a “money man.” “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:2020But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:20)).
It is possible to get to heaven without having a friend in the world. Friendship has never been the passport to heaven, for it is written, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)).
It is possible to get to heaven without being a social worker or a philanthropist. All men apart from a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are counted as “dead in trespasses and sins,” and it is not expected that a dead man can do anything of living value. All the good works done by men could never fashion a key to heaven, for salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)).
It is possible to get to heaven without being a church member. One can argue endlessly over the idle question, “Which church saves?” It is wasted time. The dying thief could see no church, but he could see Calvary and the dying Son of God, and, churchless though he was, he cried, “Lord, remember me.” And he received the answer which many church members have never heard: “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)).
It is possible to get to heaven without many things which the world, religious or otherwise, would consider necessary.
BUT - there is one great impossibility! It is not possible to get to heaven without the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). The only key to heaven is faith in His redeeming work. “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)).
Life is uncertain. In fact, the only thing in life about which we can really be sure is the fact that we can’t be sure about it. But beyond life there is eternity-and there is no need for us to lose our precious souls by being uncertain about that!
There is only one way - the way of the cross. There is only one truth - the truth of God’s Word. There is only one life - the seeking Saviour and loving Lord Himself.
“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”