Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Bible is clear when it delineates the character and habits of those who will be taken to heaven, and the above passage gives us a sample of individuals who will not be on the list. There is a tendency in modern Christendom to present Christ as being unbalanced in character, and because of this He is often portrayed as being too good to let anyone be lost. Now while it is true that He hates the very prospect of any member of the human family not being saved, yet in His wisdom and justice He cannot permit those who continue in sin to inherit His kingdom, for the very same vices and habits that were cultivated whilst here on this earth will be carried over into the earth made new, a prospect which has absolutely no chance of ever occurring. Let's read:
2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
The fact of the matter is that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and therefore any saint must of necessity have been involved with some bad habit or vice or sin at some point in time or another, and therefore the fact that we are sinners cannot be the determining factor in our eternal salvation. What actually prevents a person from going to heaven is when we cling to the sins and vices that Christ died to redeem us from, and therefore if we hold on tenaciously to sinful thoughts and actions, without letting them go by the grace of God, after a time we become permanently identified with them, and then any effort by the Holy Spirit to separate us from sin becomes futile, thereby rendering us unfit for the kingdom of God.
This sacred and solemn truth is embodied in the following passage of scripture, and it was written so that we all may take heed, and thus take the necessary steps in surrendering ourselves totally to God that we may be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Let's read:
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
The false doctrine which teaches its adherents that sin is too difficult to overcome has no weight, and does not ring true with what is written and promised in the scriptures, because the very fundamental purpose of God in sending Jesus to die in our place, was not merely to save us from death, but more so to save us from the sin which causes death in the first place, and therefore if we continue in sin, it will not be wise for The Lord to take us to heaven where we will again jeopardize the peace and security that characterizes the very atmosphere of heaven. That's why it is in this life that we are to be separated from all sin through the power of God working in us, a feat that can only be accomplished through cooperation with the Holy Spirit on an ongoing basis. Let's read:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
It then behooves every person who desires eternal life with God, to make choices that are in harmony with the principles of the kingdom of heaven, and if we do, then the omnipotent power of God will be engaged to put our good decisions into practice literally, and when this process takes place daily, or actions will become habits, and our habits will then form our character. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which gives us hope to keep pressing on, because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let's read:
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!