Can non-Christians go to heaven? Some people offer simplistic answers to that question—on one side or the other. But many Christians wrestle with the apparent tension between the Biblical teaching that Christ is the only way to heaven (“No one comes to the Father but by me” John 14:6) and the Biblical teaching that God loves the whole world (John 3:16) and “desires that all people be saved.” (I Timothy 2:4)

The tension is resolved when we look at the whole Biblical teaching about who Christ is—that Christ is “the Word of God” (John 1:1) and “the true light that enlightens every person.” (John 1:9) This means that Christ is speaking in the heart of every person; and it means that non-Christians are actually hearing that Word, however imperfectly, whenever they perceive something of the truth of God. So if they are responding to the inner voice of Christ the Word, might the saving grace of Christ be extended also to them?

Jesus seems to indicate that this could be the case, when he says to his followers, “I have other sheep who are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” (John 10:16) All this provides reason to believe that people outside the Christian fold—who are responding to what they understand of God within another religion—may yet be included in the salvation that Christ wins for humanity.

The question of “Who can enter heaven?” is not one to be glibly answered, and we do well to approach it with open-mindedness and humility. In the end, God is judge. Our calling as Christians is to share the good news of Jesus with others, and to reach out with the love of Jesus—to all.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Acts 17:22–31
John 1:1–5, 14; John 10:11–16

Related posts:

The Feast of Heaven Under the Wings of Grace Who Enters Heaven? Heaven on Earth