There was a recent article that mentioned an exchange between a young boy and the Pope. The boy was allowed to ask the Pope the following question.

“A short time ago, my dad died. He was an atheist, but he had all four of his children baptized. He was a good man. Is Dad in heaven?”

You can hear the Pope’s answer below.

I’m not here to criticize his response. The question grabbed my attention as I thought about how I would respond. The boy in the picture looked no older than 10. I may be wrong, as kids are getting so much bigger at much earlier ages. Certainly, the child’s maturity would factor into any explanation I would attempt to share.

Only God can answer such a question definitively, as He is the only one that knows what is in every person’s heart. And a mature Believer can be confident, based on God’s Word, of their present state in Christ, and future with His Heavenly Father. (Romans 8:31-39, 1 John 3:18-24)

It is not uncommon for the parents and family of criminals or terrorists, to claim that their child or brother was a good man. They only saw what was on the outside, how the individual behaved in their presence. God knows our thoughts, desires, and dreams. He sees what is done behind closed doors and in darkness. And more importantly, He knows who truly is in His family. (John 10:1-18)

But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7 (<AMP>)

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. — Luke 18:18-19 (<KJV>)

Carefully read this exchange from Luke. The ruler wanted to know how to inherit eternal life. And started by calling Jesus good. Jesus responded by saying nobody is good except God. This was startling to the ruler because as the exchange continues, we find this man has followed all the commandments and been mightily Blessed. He was DOING everything religion required. But he was not GOOD. The point is that everybody from Adam forward is born spiritually dead. They are cut off from God and under the influence of the evil one. Its not what we DO, but who is in control. If our spiritual father is not God, we cannot be GOOD. We may do good things, appear to be a nice person, but God wants something far greater. He wants our heart. He wants to recreate us from the inside out, making us a NEW CREATION, and part of the Body of Christ. The Birth From Above is all His Work, and all of Grace. No ceremonies, rituals, or religious hooey can duplicate what God does for those who put their trust in Jesus. All we can do is praise Him and thank Him for making us COMPLETE in Christ. It is a Spiritual Baptism from above that transforms us, making us alive in Christ, and seated in heavenly places in Him – even while we remain on Earth. It is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, while we are IN CHRIST. THEN, we are anointed to produce MUCH GOOD FRUIT. (Luke 18:18-30, John 3:1-21, Galatians 4:1-10, Ephesians 1:1-14, Ephesians 2:1-22, Colossians 2:1-23)

The hard truth is that nobody gets into Heaven for being good. Our Heavenly Father gave Himself, Jesus, and redeemed us. He is the Way, and ONLY Way to the Father. God’s Word makes it quite clear.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. — Acts 4:8-12 (<KJV>)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. — John 14:6 (<KJV>)

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9 (<KJV>)

The only honest and compassionate statement we can make must be established on the firm foundation of God’s Word. It is possible that the boy’s father confessed Jesus as Lord in his final moments, or in his youth before he became a Father, or an atheist. It is certain that God wants ALL to be saved, and is not making things difficult – that is the role of religion. Jesus did all the hard work. All people have to do is BELIEVE! Also, don’t discount the prayers of Believers, especially family and friends of the father, who were likely interceding on his behalf. I’ve been on the receiving end of my Holy Spirit-filled parents’ prayers, and those requests get answered.

I think many of us will be surprised by how many folks are in Heaven that we did not expect. God is constantly reaching out to people, asking them to choose LIFE, to choose HIM. And when you are at the very end of life, most of the stubbornness and pride that might have blocked the Gospel before, often fades away.

We should not be distorting God’s Truth to accommodate someone’s feelings. And lying to a child can have serious consequences to their Spiritual Growth, creating stumbling blocks for their faith. God has given us His Word so that we may KNOW exactly how to please Him – faith. (Hebrews 11:6) And that faith comes from hearing His Word. (Romans 10:17) We know that God LOVES the world and gave His Son for it. He wants everyone to know and experience this love and share eternity with Him. It all starts by believing in Jesus in your heart, and confessing Him as your Lord.

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. — 1 Timothy 2:3-6 (<NLT>)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. — Romans 10:8-11 (<KJV>)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. — John 3:14-18 (<KJV>)

Assuming the father never accepted Jesus as his Savior, it should never be said that it was for lack of Mercy. God didn’t reject the boy’s father, the boy’s father rejected God. Salvation is a GIFT, not a reward. It would appear that the father had some religious knowledge, since his children were baptized. Why did he bother if he did not believe, or at least fear God? I would challenge that young man to ask his Heavenly Father about his earthly father. And to read the Word and seek His Wisdom on the matter. God will reveal the Truth in a compassionate and edifying way.

Thank you Father for your Love. We praise you and thank you for your Mercy. We ask that you surround this young man and his siblings with your Love, fill them with your Peace, and establish them by your Wisdom. We know there will always be tough questions in life. But in You, we know the Truth, and are set free from all bondage. We have the mind of Christ and are led by the Spirit. We are never in darkness as we walk in Your Light. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
(John 8:32, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Ephesians 1:15-23, James 1:1-8, 1 John 4:1-21)

 

 

 

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