I read about a preacher from South Africa who for some reason would not forgive his wife for something she had said or done. Sometime later this preacher died and when he appeared before God, he was asked, “Why should I let you in heaven?” By God’s grace, this preacher was brought back to life and definitely changed his attitude about forgiveness. This is a true story. It’s on the internet.
I’ve heard several versions of this story, and I don’t buy any of them. One version even has the preacher, a born-again believer, consigned to Hell because of his failure to forgive his wife.
Stop and think for a minute. If all our sins were forgiven at the cross as Colossians 2:13-14 says, and if we’re now a new creation as 2 Cor. 5:17 says, with a righteousness from God that comes through faith as Romans 3:22 says, and if the Lord’s death has made us perfect forever as Hebrews 10:12-14 says, and if our inheritance was guaranteed from the moment we first believed as Ephesians 1:13-14 says, then how could God, who promised these things to us, deny any born again believer admittance into Heaven?
In John 5:24 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned.” It doesn’t say we might have eternal life or that we might not be condemned. It says if we believe God we have eternal life and will not be condemned.
Just because something is on the internet doesn’t make it a true story. Search the Scriptures daily to see if the things you’re being told are true.