“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
Bible Verses About Who Will Not Go To Heaven
Disobedience to God’s Word
When we reflect on the theme of who will not enter heaven, we see that one crucial point is our obedience to God’s Word. As believers, we know that following God’s guidance is essential to our faith journey. We are reminded that it’s not merely about knowing God’s word, but actively living it out by obeying His commands. Disobedience can create a barrier that keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God’s promise of eternal life. Our lives should reflect our commitment to friendship with God through adhering to His teachings. Let’s seek to align our lives with His will and trust in His everlasting grace.
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
Romans 2:13
“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” – Romans 2:13
1 John 2:4
“Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” – 1 John 2:4
Unrepentant Hearts
An important theme in understanding who will not go to heaven is the state of our hearts. We must acknowledge that God places great value on repentance. When we refuse to acknowledge our wrongdoings and turn away from them, we risk our relationship with Him. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual attitude of turning back to God. We can trust and find solace in the fact that God is always willing to welcome us back, but we need to take the step of repentance to cultivate our connection with Him. This heart transformation is crucial for our salvation journey and the promise of eternal life.
Luke 13:3
“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” – Luke 13:3
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Acts 17:30
“In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” – Acts 17:30
Revelation 2:5
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” – Revelation 2:5
Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” – Ezekiel 18:30
Lack of Faith
Having faith is central to our relationship with God, and it is closely tied to our assurance of heaven. When we lack faith, we may miss out on the incredible promises that God has for us. Faith isn’t something we achieve on our own; it’s a gift from God that allows us to rest in His love and guidance. Lack of faith can lead us astray, but we must remember that God is always extending His hand to help us believe in Him more deeply. By nurturing our trust in God, we can anchor ourselves closer to His heart and ensure our place in heaven.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Romans 14:23
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” – Romans 14:23
John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” – John 3:36
Mark 16:16
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:16
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
Moral Corruption
In our faith, we often face choices that test our morals and values. It’s vital to remember that engaging in morally corrupt behaviors can lead us away from God’s eternal plan for us. The Bible addresses the importance of living righteously and how our actions reflect our commitment to Him. We stumble at times, but the essence here is to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness. By striving to embody a life reflective of Christ’s values, we can ensure we remain in communion with God and not fall into the traps of sin that cloud our promise of heaven.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Ephesians 5:5
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” – Ephesians 5:5
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
Proverbs 15:9
“The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” – Proverbs 15:9
Judgment and Accountability
As we ponder over who will not go to heaven, the theme of accountability must come to light. Each of us will have to stand before God to account for our lives, our actions, and the choices we made. Judgment isn’t something we need to fear if we are living according to God’s principles. But it does challenge us to become self-aware and humble, reflecting on our lives and ensuring we live in alignment with His teachings. As we hold ourselves accountable, we can find comfort in the assurance that God is just and merciful, always ready to forgive those who turn to Him.
Romans 14:10
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” – Romans 14:10
Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” – Matthew 12:36
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
Matthew 25:46
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” – Matthew 25:46
Hebrews 9:27
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27
False Teachings and Misleading Doctrine
We often confront misleading teachings in today’s world, causing confusion about salvation and what leads to heaven. Staying true to God’s Word helps us discern from falsehood and aligns us with His true doctrine. Being rooted in the Bible allows us to guard against doctrines that can divert us from our relationship with God. Our commitment to truth will protect us from falling prey to these false teachings and allows us to walk confidently on the path to eternal life. Together, we must encourage one another in our pursuit of wisdom and discernment.
2 Peter 2:1
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” – 2 Peter 2:1
Matthew 7:15
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” – 1 Timothy 4:1
Galatians 1:8
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” – Galatians 1:8
Titus 1:10-11
“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach.” – Titus 1:10-11
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on who will not go to heaven, we are called to consider various aspects of our faith journey. It is important to remember the significance of obedience to God’s Word, the necessity of a repentant heart, and the importance of nurturing our faith. We can’t ignore the reality of moral corruption that can lead us astray, nor can we overlook the importance of accountability in our actions. The presence of false teachings also reminds us to remain vigilant in our beliefs. Together, we must strive to align our lives with God’s principles and teachings.
Ultimately, our focus should be on building a strong relationship with God and living in a way that aligns with His will. Let’s encourage one another and remain steadfast in our pursuit of righteousness, knowing that our faith will secure us a place in heaven.
If you’re interested in exploring more about what the Bible says on similar topics, consider checking out Revelation 21:8 or 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 for further insights.