I’m sure they meant well, but they messed up my theology at a young age. I heard preachers talk about how God would evaluate my life once I got to heaven. One of the imaginative illustrations entailed God showing a video of my life and how often I had blown the opportunities. There would also be another flick to watch of what my life could have been like had I been more available and obedient. In that description, heaven seemed like hell to me.
Will God punish us once we get to heaven? Will He take us out back and have the supreme “come to Jesus” talk? Are we going to be put in timeout once we get there as those who made it but are really unwelcome among God and those who did better?
9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
Romans 5:9-11.
According to the Scriptures, there’s no timeout in heaven. If His blood has justified us, we will be saved from wrath (Rom. 5:9). That means that if you have a relationship with Jesus, your punishment has already been taken care of. All of humanity has one of two options when it comes to how our sins will be handled: either you will suffer for them for eternity, or Jesus has already suffered for them at Calvary. In Christ, you are justified! The gavel has hit in the heavenly courtroom, and you have been declared “not guilty!”
We were enemies, but we aren’t anymore. If Jesus has paid for our punishment, then why would God treat us as enemies once we arrive at eternity’s shore? To have to pay for your sins once you get to heaven would mean that Jesus suffered needlessly. We have been reconciled through His death, and we will be saved by His life. Jesus did not stretch out His arms on the cross to keep you at arms’ length when you see Him.
Take some time today to rehearse your testimony. If Jesus has saved you, thank Him for that salvation, and do not fear the already-covered punishment.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
