Ticket To Heaven

[rojoloco]

I saw the above picture on somebody's avatar on here and was immediately bothered by it. I don't know why I never noticed it before but this time I did and something was unsettling about it. As I read the words aloud, I found myself cringing at the thought of somebody actually thinking of Christ in this way. Is salvation really nothing more than a ticket to Heaven to some people? Is Christ really nothing more than a ticket to Heaven? Is God's plan for us really nothing more than a ticket to Heaven?

I must say, Heaven is not about us at all. Sure, there will be great things for us but that is not the purpose of salvation. To think of it in this way is to minimize God and His glory while maximizing our selfishness.

Our purpose on this Earth is to give glory to God in all that we do. It is to make disciples of all nations. It is to be ready to give a defense at all times. It is to fight the good fight. It is to proclaim Christ crucified. It is NOT to make a "choice" and be given a ticket to Heaven ready to redeem at the point of death. I find the idea to be on the verge of blasphemy because it makes light of sin and makes light of the death & resurrection of Christ as if it were nothing more than access to an amusement park.

Any thoughts on the subject?

 

[rojoloco]

I figured there would be some kind of discussion on this one considering how many people actually use this as their avatar on here. Hmmm...

 

[HappySoul]

I don't know about the avatar. I've never noticed it until now. I can't say I would use it, but I'm not offended by it. I can tell you that I'm more interested in having a relationship with God now than thinking about my future in heaven.

 

[jiggyfly]

I'm more interested in having a relationship with God

Very nice response Happysoul.

 

[april showers]

I actually did notice the avatar as well when I was choosing mine. I also was not happy with the implication of Jesus being a ticket to Heaven, like you would buy a ticket at an amusement park, and all you have to do is hop on the ride and be scared out of your wits.

Whoever uses the avatar, however, I would have to give the benefit of the doubt that they have some reason they chose that one, that maybe means something special to them.

While Jesus is not the ticket, He is the Way to the Father. There are many problems with the ticket idea. The first is that you don't have to do anything. You just buy your ticket then wait til you die. This view disregards the many Scriptures that show that our salvation is an interactive process that requires intense participation between the time we accept the Lord and the time we finish our course.

The other major problem with the ticket idea is that to buy a ticket implies that you are just interested in going somewhere. The truth is, salvation has to do with a PERSON and a relationship with that PERSON. Heaven is wherever Jesus is, so in a sense, we buy the ticket, if you want to stick to that imagery, and instantly you are there, because instantly Jesus is there with you. So what is really the point of going anywhere when you already had what you need exactly where you are?

 

[azuredepths]

Salvation is not a ticket to heaven.

Haven't we read John Bunyan?
Salvation is looking unto Christ and growing in sanctification, it's a journey, that's why is called "Pilgrim's Progress".