If everyone sins, how can anyone go to heaven?
Question:
I have some questions for you:
I saw a video that says sinners cannot go to heaven; you cannot walk on the path of sin and still expect your name to be written in the Book of Life. If the video is correct, sinners cannot go to heaven. However, even Christians make mistakes and commit sins. Wouldn't these instances be recorded in the Book of Life?
My understanding is that as long as you believe, you will definitely go to heaven, and our actions are related to heavenly rewards. But as Christians, we must also carry our cross for God and do God's work on earth, because if we love God, we must act accordingly, right?
Some sins are easy to change, such as lying, cursing, stealing, etc. These sins are easy to change, and one is willing to change them. However, some sins involve one's own needs and desires, and it's difficult to willingly change them. I think you can understand.
Answer:
There is a difference between committing a sin and walking in sin. See Saint or Sinner? It is true that Christians sin (I John 1:5-2:1), but the key difference is that a Christian refuses to remain in sin. He will seek out God's forgiveness and renew his efforts.
The Book of Life is the record of who will be receiving eternal life. It is not a record of everything you did in life. See The Book of Life. Sinners (those who do not repent of their sins) are removed from the Book of Life. They could be added back in if they do turn their lives around.
Faith alone is not sufficient to save a person. True faith is shown by a person's actions (James 2:14-26). I can intellectually acknowledge that God exists, but until I am convinced to the point that I will do what God says, my words and thoughts are useless. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome" (I John 5:1-3). Thus, we are told that we will be judged by our actions. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
Yes, some sins are harder to conquer than others; yet, we are told to work toward overcoming sin in our lives. We cannot accept remaining in sin. "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2).
