06 Sep The Question No One Should Be Asking

Millions of social media users in the last week have been answering a question no one on earth should be answering. In fact, it is a question no one should be asking: Is Dolly Parton in heaven or hell?

Many commenters point to the extensive humanitarian work the country music superstar did and the generosity she displayed to those in need as proof she is in heaven. Others point to positions Parton held on earthly social issues and have decided she must be in hell. Such speculation is wrong, hurtful, and dangerous. Let’s look at why:

• God is the Only Judge
• Only God knows the human heart
• God calls us to share truth in love, not condemn

God is the Only Judge:

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 (NIV)

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Romans 14:10 (NIV):

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV)

“We will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” He and He alone decides where we spend eternity. Whether we realize it or not, when we dare to believe we know someone else’s final judgment, we are ourselves casting that judgment.

Only God Knows the Human Heart:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  Samuel 16:7

24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:24-25 (NIV)

Sharing Truth vs. Condemning:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 (NIIV)

Not even God came to condemn, but to save. And would we dare to condemn others with the certitude that I’ve see on social media? So, now what? What is the one question we should be asking?

What about me? The only salvation we should focus on is ours. Yes, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus with others so they can share in that salvation. And we are to help them grow in Christ. Yet, none of those responsibilities gives us license to judge where they will spend eternity. And it bears repeating that when we presume to know their fate, we are casting that judgment. If this sounds like scolding, allow me to close on a note of encouragement.

All of this means no believer has the right to judge you either. Don’t concern yourselves with the fate of others, and don’t be concerned about what others believe of your fate. God’s judgment is the only one that counts and we should all be thankful for that!

Pastor Jerry Bader