Hi, I'm not sure if there is a thread already regarding this subject so apologies if there is.
I recently attended a funeral for a school friend (25 years old, sudden death from a blood clot). I was completely devastated by this and has caused me to think seriously about death and where I will go. At the moment, this is not the issue I would like to discuss.
During the funeral (at a Church of England/Anglican) at the church, the vicar said on a number of occasions that Alison would be going to heaven because of:
a) the God-given talents that she used to make people happy
b) she appreciated nature
c) she loved her friends/family
d) that the sprinkling of holy water on the coffin would be her entrance into heaven where she will be greeted by Christ and accepted into heavens for eternity.
As far as I am aware, Alison wasn't a Christian. She may have been christened as a baby, but her lifestyle didn't reflect Christ and I never heard her confess Christ as Saviour. (Now, I may be speaking out of turn and she may have been a Christian as we didn't speak for years upto her death.)
Now as I understand the scriptures, the entrance into Heaven is by believing in faith that Christ's death is sufficient to save our sinful souls and then allowing Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit to change our lives to reflect His glory.
During the funeral, I was saddened to have lost a friend but even more saddened that the vicar was misleading her family and friends.
My questions are:
a) On what grounds are we accepted into Heaven?
b) Can we say on earth that someone will definitely be granted into heaven?
Many thanks for your responses
Rachel