In order to clarify one issue, I would like to begin this booklet by asking you, the reader, to answer a question. It is an important question. Indeed, it could be the most important question you will ever answer. This is it:

Suppose you were to die today and found yourself standing before God. He looked you in the eye and asked,

"Why should I let you into my heaven?"

What would you say?

What about pausing for a moment right now and asking yourself, "What would you say?"

This is a question I have asked hundreds of people over many years in the Anglican ministry. There are a number of common responses. Some people reply honestly, "I don't know." Some people expect to get into heaven without having to answer such a question, as they believe everyone will go to heaven anyway. A more common response, however, goes something like this: "I have not been too bad a person. I know I am not perfect but I have done my best to lead a good life. I...I..." The focus of their response is on themselves, what they have done, or not done. In other words, they expect people (and themselves in particular) to get into heaven on the basis of their moral behaviour. (Or, in some instances, to fail to get in because of their lack of moral behaviour!)

This booklet is written from the assumption that Jesus knew exactly what he was talking about when he spoke about heaven, and also when he said that not everyone would be there, as he did very plainly (1). That being the case, what are the conditions of entry?

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(1) That Jesus was indeed the divine Son of God and did know what he was talking about are questions I have dealt with in another booklet, Is Jesus Really God?