The Slums of Heaven

Last night my husband was remembering the religion of his youth: How he was never given assurance of his salvation, but taught that, at the judgment, all of his life: every thought, word, and deed would be on display and aired as if on big screen for all to see, in one great moment of dread, fear, regret, humiliation, and anticipation of the verdict. As others awaited their crowns... their mansions for all their diligent pursuit of holiness and all those spiritual conquests, what would be his reward? Would he end up in the slums… the slums of heaven?

My friends, if this is the kind message you've heard or the kind of preaching you hear, please switch churches, teachers or podcasts. This is not the message that a blood-bought child of God needs or should want to hear. Completely contradictory to the victory that is found in Christ, alone, this is a message of doubt, despair and terror.

How does the Apostle Paul refresh and comfort the Christian? For there is now NO condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus. …What shall separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus? …No creature. Not even you, yourself. (Romans 8.)

The Prince of Preachers put it beautifully: “When God accepts a sinner, He is, in fact, only accepting Christ. He looks into the sinner's eyes, and He sees His own dear Son's image there, and He takes him in.” ~CH Spurgeon

If “It is finished,” if Christ has won the victory on our behalf, if His righteousness has been imputed to us and His blood has separated our sins from us as far as East is from West, then we have no need to despair his anger in this life, or his vindication against us in the life to come, not even for a minute.

There will be no slums or slum dogs in heaven; only princes: Beloved children of the King.

Best sermons unraveling the faulty thinking about Judgement Day in the evangelical church: 

Dr. John Fonville: Paramount Church. Sermon begins around min. 32, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nElvMQJhjg&ab_channel=ParamountChurch

Dr. John Fonville: Paramount Church. Sermon begins around min. 30, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnNZuSX7nm0&ab_channel=ParamountChurch&fbclid=IwAR1VOJrKo1-H9NrW8V3-In6jCswrR36JZvtBWQbzNVNrimuzQAFeVYIBexc

See also What Can I Expect When Jesus Returns? // Paramount Church // June 20, 2021: John Fonville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlPSfzxe1Qk&t=3622s&ab_channel=ParamountChurch