SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE: Will Celebrities go to heaven?

Rather, speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15

When truth is known, passion is usually expressed.  It is a fact that as Christians we have the knowledge of the truth about Jesus Christ. It is the presence of this intimate and relational knowledge that keeps our hearts burning for Jesus. We can’t stop loving him because we know that he first loved us. We have come to know that he loves us and therefore we express this truth by being passionate about his will and glory. This is why Paul says, “for the love of Christ controls us…” 2 Corinth 5:14. There is nothing more comforting than to know that I am living in truth. If there is one thing that is so fearful to live under, it is ignorance about things that are close to your heart. Someone will not join a religion if he is not convinced that it is true. If he does it’s probably for a wrong reason. Why do I say all this? It is the nature of our speech. Sometimes our speech as Christians is ignorant, it lacks love and this can be destructive.

Christiano Ronaldo

Notice the phrase first says, “Speak…” Speech is part of our life. We speak every day. We talk to friends, parents, workmates and many others. So the Bible doesn't ask us to be quiet but encourages us to do what we are expected to do. We must speak.  Secondly, we are told what we should speak. We should speak the truth. Whenever we speak we should speak the truth. Thirdly, the speech must be in love. When we speak truth it should be because we love that person. We want to show how much we love them by telling them the truth. We love them and tell them the truth because we want them to become more like Jesus Christ. However, many times you get the opposite of this.

You will find some Pastors lying to their members because they don’t want to lose their job or because they don’t want to look irresponsible. Some parents lie to their children or vice versa because they don’t want to accept a weakness. This actually has caused more harm than good. Usually the truth eventually comes out and things become sour. There are many of us who haven’t told the truth about heaven to our beloved brothers and sisters. Still some have not told the truth about hell to those close to them. Nevertheless, we know that these realities are real. One day the truth will be revealed. It will be too late. Woe to you who told people that getting to heaven is through good works. You lied because it’s not the truth.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

I love sport, particularly soccer. The game is entertaining no doubt about that. The players have become heroes and celebrities to many. You see people nick naming themselves after the name of the player they like. Clothes, shoes, Billboard adverts and many other things are covered with images of these men and women. Sad to say others have idolized them. However, one thing is very clear. If all these men and women are to die without Christ then hell will be their destiny. This realization really breaks my heart.

Serena Williams

The Bible says, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”  The neighbour is every other person. Speaking the truth in love therefore means that we tell people like them (celebrities) that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Yes we should because they are also our neighbours. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). If you love someone, tell them the truth even if it hurts. It will surely hurt someone if you tell them they will perish in hell if they don’t believe in Christ. But that is simple truth. The reason many people will not hear our plea is because the speech is not out

of love. We speak at times as though we are the judge. People notice it and don’t want anything to do with what we say even though it is the truth.  Speak the truth in love. I will be first one to acknowledge that there are times I have spoken that way and I repent. You too can do the same. It would be such a wonderful thing if all Christians can be praying for these men and women. The 2014 world cup is just around the corner. Before the games on the world’s biggest stage begin, someone please get this message out to those players. Tell them I love them as my neighbours and that their life will soon come to an end. However, Jesus stands to save all those who put their faith in him for the forgiveness of sin and assurance of eternal life.

Jackie Chan

So then what’s the answer, will celebrities go to heaven? If they acknowledge their sins, repent by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and God creating a new life in them then yes, they will go to heaven. However, they cannot know about way to heaven if you and I don’t tell them in love that there is forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus.