Did She Go to Heaven?

"Such deep longing for God … repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal."

"Where is my faith? Even deep down … there is nothing but emptiness and darkness."

"What do I labor for? If there be no God, there can be no soul. If there be no soul then, Jesus, You also are not true."

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These are excerpts from the letters of Mother Teresa. The woman the world upheld as an example of faith lived in a secret world of doubt. For many people, especially Catholics, there is no doubt that Mother Teresa is in heaven. But she herself had her doubts ... strong, lifelong doubts. What should we think of all this?

I want to begin by expressing my admiration for this woman. While most people spend their lives seeking to help only themselves, she sincerely wanted to help others. Not only did she desire to help other people, she chose to help and serve the poorest of the poor. Her life was an example of service.

The sad reality, however, is that her acts of service did not get her to heaven and could not grant her assurance of faith on earth. This is the greatest error in Catholicism and all other man made religions. Living a good life, helping other people, giving to the poor, etc. will not save you. They will not grant you access to heaven. They will not boost your confidence in God.

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Only one way leads to God. Only one truth grants assurance of faith. Only one life can be good enough to get you to heaven. He is Jesus Christ. I have assurance of my salvation and my faith, not because I'm a super-Christian or a great person (I'm neither!), but because I'm trusting in Christ's actions and not my own.

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"But Mother Teresa was a Christian, too!" you might think. "In fact, she's the cream of the crop when it comes to Christianity." No. She was trusting in her works as the basis of her salvation. She could not understand why her good works never gave her access to God.

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This is the difference between Catholicism (as well as other man made religions) and biblical Christianity. Mother Teresa labored to be in good standing with God. Christians know that Christ labored to put us in good standing with God. Mother Teresa trusted that her acts of kindness would take her to heaven. Christians know that Jesus' act of kindness on the Cross will take us to heaven.

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Can you see the difference? If so, stop trusting in your goodness or your abilities and trust in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the only one good enough to get you to heaven.

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"This is the work God requires of you, that you believe in Jesus."

John 6:29

By Faith Alone

A few months ago, I wrote a post questioning whether or not liberal Christians were actually atheists. This provocative question isn't original to me. It actually came from an atheist, Sam Harris. I'm sure that some people thought it was a little harsh, but I think I have found something that might make you reconsider...

A Liberal Preacher's Story

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If you have the time, I encourage you to read this. It's an enjoyable read because he's an excellent writer (though I should warn the easily-offended that there is cursing.) He has some true and stinging assessments of conservative Christianity's sub-culture. But, overall, I was amazed by this "preacher's" unregenerate understanding of biblical faith. Yes, we go through seasons of doubt and questions. But this poor soul has camped out there, considering it an honorable thing.

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This preacher says, "God, I don’t have great faith, but I can be faithful. My belief in you may be seasonal, but my faithfulness will not. I will follow in the way of Christ. I will act as though my life and the lives of others matter. I will love." Though that may sound honorable to some, it most assuredly is not. That is unbelief. That is works without faith. That is liberal Christianity.

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Top Shelf Christianity, Deep and Old Christianity (to borrow his terms) teaches that "the righteous shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4 & Romans 1:17). We are justified (saved, forgiven) by faith. And this faith is not seasonal, wishful thoughts that God might exist. Biblical, saving, top shelf faith is an "assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

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Friends, we must be convinced. We must know that our Redeemer lives and on the earth again shall stand (Job 19:25). We must be sure, be very sure, that our calling and election is true (2 Peter 1:10). Are you?

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The fool says in his heart,

"There is no God."

Psalm 14:1