Faith & Culture
So a murderer can repent and go to heaven, but a good person who doesn't believe can't?
Short answer
It feels unfair because grace isn't about getting what we deserve. Heaven isn't a reward for good people, since none of us is good enough (Romans 3:23). It's a gift for forgiven people. A murderer who truly turns to Jesus isn't getting away with anything; Jesus paid for it. And the "good person" is offered exactly the same gift. God wants them to receive it (1 Timothy 2:4).
In simple words: Nobody gets to heaven by being good enough. Everybody needs Jesus' forgiveness, and he offers it to everyone, even people who did very bad things.
Response
This is one of the most common objections online, and it touches a real moral instinct. We want people to get what they deserve.
But that's the problem. If heaven were for people who deserve it, no one would be there. We tend to grade ourselves against the worst people we can think of. God's standard is himself, and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The difference between a murderer and a kind neighbor is real, and God judges fairly, taking into account what each person knew (Luke 12:47-48). But both need forgiveness.
The Christian message isn't that good people go to heaven. It's that forgiven people do, and forgiveness is offered to everyone at Jesus' expense: "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). A criminal dying next to Jesus said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" and Jesus answered, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43). Paul, who had hunted down Christians, wrote that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst" (1 Timothy 1:15).
Real repentance isn't a loophole. It's surrender: a changed heart that stops defending its sin. And it isn't something to put off, since no one knows whether they'll have a deathbed.
Jesus told a story about workers hired at the end of the day who received the same pay as those who had worked all day. When the first workers complained, the owner asked, "are you envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:15). The question for each of us isn't whether someone else deserves grace. It's whether we'll accept it ourselves.
Key evidence
- Scripture says all have sinned and need forgiveness (Romans 3:23; James 2:10).
- Salvation is a gift, not a wage (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Jesus promised paradise to a repentant criminal (Luke 23:42-43).
- God judges fairly and takes into account what each person knew (Luke 12:47-48).
Bible passages
- Romans 3:23 All have sinned.
- Romans 6:23 The gift of God is eternal life.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 Saved by grace, not by works.
- Luke 23:39-43 The criminal on the cross.
- Matthew 20:1-16 The workers in the vineyard.
- Luke 15:7 Joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Discussion questions
- Why do we tend to compare ourselves with the worst people we know?
- How is a gift different from a wage?
- In the vineyard story, which workers do you relate to most? Why?