Some people think that God isn't interested in them because they aren't 'good' people and have done a lot of bad things, but God isn't interested in people that are 'good'. Jesus said, 'I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.' (Lu5:32) ... 'I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, and you didn't believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did....you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.' (Ma21:31,32)
Heaven won't be full of nice, decent, good people because that's not enough to come into God's presence. Only those with childlike faith who have Jesus as their Saviour and are covered in the righteousness that He gives will be there. No one can ever boast in the presence of God (1Co1:29), no one can ever get there by their own efforts. We all get there the same way, by accepting God's free gift of salvation.
If we are expecting to only find refined educated nice people in heaven we are going to be surprised because those who are in God's presence will be like Jesus (1Jo3:2) Looking at those mentioned in the New Testament as Jesus followers, they were a mixed multitude. Simon, one of the twelve disciples Jesus appointed was a Zealot (Ma10:4), a Jewish revolutionary wanting freedom from Rome. Joanna, who supported Jesus financially was the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager.(Lu8:3) Peter, Andrew, James and John, four of Jesus twelve disciples, were commercial fishermen (Lu5:2-10)`.
Tax collectors were despised by the Israelites as dishonest men. (Ma9:10,11) yet Matthew, who wrote the book of Matthew in the New Testament (Ma9:9) was a tax collector and so was Zaccheus.(Lu19:2) Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham." (Lu19:9) In the story of the Pharisee (religious leader) and the tax collector going to the Temple to pray, Jesus said, "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee returned home justified before God. For those who humble themselves will be exalted."(Lu18:10-14) God looks beyond the actions of the moment into our hearts.(1Sa16:7)
Jesus' followers included Mary Magdalene, from whom He (Jesus) had cast out seven demons (Lu8:2) and wept for Jesus at the Cross (Ma27:56). And Legion who had been possessed by many demons before he was healed by Jesus. After his healing began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him...(Mk5:9,20) Jesus went out of His way to connect with the woman who was a social outcast and had been in multiple relationships. Her reputation was so tarnished that she came to draw water at the hottest time of the day when nobody else would be there. Yet Jesus spoke to her and her life was changed. (Jo4:4-29) It is these types of people who will be in heaven.
Jesus told the criminal or revolutionary on the cross beside Him, after this man had asked Jesus to "remember me when You come into Your Kingdom"..."I assure you today you will be with Me in paradise." (Lu23:42,43) The early disciples thought that salvation was only for the Israelite people and excluded gentiles from their churches. Yet an angel appeared to Cornelius, a Roman army officer and a Gentile, who feared God. (Ac10:1) As Peter was speaking to them, the Holy Spirit fell on them (v44) so they were baptised (v48). There was the jailer who with his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. (Ac16:34) God is not exclusive, His salvation, the opportunity to live in His presence forever, is available to all. ...He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. (2Pe3:9)
" 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So He is the God of the living not the dead." (Mk12:26,27) Jacob stole his brother birthright, deceived his father to get the blessing that was intended for his brother (Ge27:1-29) and prospered at his uncle's expense (Ge30:25-43) yet Jacob is in heaven with God. Moses was reluctantly abandoned by his parents, adopted by a woman on her own and raised outside his culture. (Ex2:3,10,12,14) He murdered an Egyptian and was rejected by the people he wanted to rescue, but he led the people of Israel out of Egypt and went to heaven. He was seen by Peter, James, and John on the mountain speaking with Jesus. (Lu9:28-33)
Rahab the prostitute was actually a traitor to her own nation when she hid the Israelite spies but she is listed in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11:31. She became the great-grandmother of King David, she will be in heaven. King David was not included when Samuel asked Jesse to present his sons.(1Sa16:5,11-13) It has been suggested that he was the son of his father's concubine. From Psalm 22:10 it appears that his mother died in childbirth, yet he was the man God chose to lead His people. Later in his life, he committed murder and adultery but he is in heaven, For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD'S sight... except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite. (1Ki15:5)
...He (Jesus) said to them, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." (Mk10:14,15) Heaven will be fill of children, including those who never drew breath for whatever reason. We will be reunited with the children we have lost through miscarriage or abortion. Only those with the childlike faith that believes what God says in His Word, trusts Him absolutely and obeys Him will be there. ...Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. (Ma7:21)
Entering the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't depend on us being good enough, it depends on our obedience to God's will for our lives. Jesus told him, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." (Jo14:6) The way was opened through Jesus' death on the Cross, whether or not we make it into the Kingdom of Heaven is entirely up to us. We all have the opportunity to spend eternity with our Creator and to live each day in His presence. Thank you, Father, for the gift of salvation, thank you, Jesus, for paying the price and thank you Holy Spirit for living in me.
Praise the Name of Jesus!
These scriptures are quoted from the New Living Translation second edition except where stated otherwise. Where there are three full stops (...), part of the verse has been omitted.