Why Jesus Said That Narrow Was The Road To Heaven

Jesus made it clear that Heaven was exclusive- that not everyone who claimed to be a follower of Jesus would get into Heaven. I believe I have some insight as to why Jesus said what he said. Bear with me, I have a purpose I am trying to reach.

I believe very strongly that the point of Jesus's teaching on Heaven and hell was not to give us a picture of the nature of God. God longs to have relationship with each and every human being on planet earth. He longs for justice and mercy at the same time, two conflicting emotions that God cannot fully rectify in himself. Jesus didn't talk about the way to Heaven being narrow because God doesn't want everyone in Heaven- he talked this way so that his followers would have seriousness of purpose. You can "luckily" find your way away from Hell, simply because God likes you. However, you can't "accidentally" escape the fires of Hell. You must have done something- SOMETHING right. Of course there's always purgatory, and going to Heaven with no treasure at all. Only a few will go to Heaven rich, and those few will find everlasting joy in the life to come. Heaven is for those that live- abide- in relationship with God.

God as judge, will examine humanity one human at a time, and he will judge rightly based on the condition of each human's heart and how each human responded when God reached out to them. God is just. He cannot- and WILL NOT- allow any sin to go without consequence. Every decision we make has its consequences. Just because the blood of Jesus covers it doesn't mean that the consequences for that sin will be denied a place. Heaven is not for everyone. Everyone who lives authentic lives before God will find mercy on the day of judgment. Some will find a degree of mercy simply because God likes their attitude and those people passed the exams that God gave them. God reserves the right to be merciful TO WHOMEVER HE WANTS TO BE MERCIFUL TO. Some atheists are going to at least Purgatory simply because they passed their exams and God liked their heart attitude. They may be poor in Heaven, or they may just end up in purgatory- all depends on what they did with their lives and why they did what they did. There will be some people who claimed Jesus with their words but with their actions they denied him. These will be surprised that Jesus refuses to defend them because he finds their hearts too odious to be willing to claim them. DON'T ASSUME JUST BECAUSE YOU PRAYED A PRAYER THAT HEAVEN WILL BE OPEN TO YOU. Did you pass your tests? Did you do what is right in the eyes of your maker? Did you receive God's love when it came to you, and did you love the people God called you to love? These are important questions that demand an answer. God reserves the right to judge each human being rightly, each on their own sins and merits. He reserves the right to forgive some sins due to repentance , and hold others accountable because they just never understood how badly they screwed up. Heaven is God's home. He'll let people in that he likes and that are worthy. He'll send the borderline cases and the difficult ones to purgatory. The real riffraff and the ones who truly fucked up their lives and the lives around them will go to hell and will never escape. God is just.

Don't forget this. Jesus warned that God was an intense person that doesn't pussyfoot around when it comes to sin. God isn't into games. You can't score points with your maker by good deeds. You can't fail your exams and then expect to make up for this through sacrifice. God will test you- and you never know when a test is coming your way. When a test comes, however, it is important that you pass it. No one is going to pass your tests for you. God is watching your decisions, and you never know when an exam will come your way. Be ready to have a right heart attitude when your test comes. Be ready to love. And know this- God longs to be close to everyone. If you refuse his love when it comes, it will be remembered. God wants to be part of your life. If you don't let him in, there will be consequences...