In a recent survey, a thousand Americans were asked what chance a variety of public figures had of going to heaven. The winner in this heavenly survey was Mother Teresa. Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed said Mother Teresa is very likely or somewhat likely to go to heaven. According to the results of this survey, here are the chances that other famous persons will go to heaven.

Oprah Winfrey - 66%
Michael Jordan - 65%
Colin Powell - 61%
Princess Diana - 60%
Al Gore - 55%
Hillary Rodham Clinton - 55%
Bill Clinton - 52%
Pat Robertson - 47%
Newt Gingrich - 40%
Dennis Rodman - 28%
O.J. Simpson - 19%

But here is the most interesting part of the poll. Of those surveyed, 87% believed themselves likely to go to heaven. Those polled gave themselves better chances than Mother Teresa.

A couple of observations. First, the Bible says that everyone who thinks he is going to heaven isn't. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, didn't we prophecy in your name and in your name do many good works?' Then I will say to them, 'Depart from me, you who do evil things. I never knew you." Evidently, lots of people who think they are going to heaven, aren't.

Second, God is the final judge and not people. The good book says that we must all stand before God's judgment seat... Each one of us must give an account of himself to God. Furthermore, God's judgments are often different than ours. God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways."

So we would do well to refrain from casting final judgment on anyone's eternal destiny. Paul says, "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time. Wait till the Lord comes."

Third, no one goes to heaven finally because of how much Bible he knows or how well he behaves. Romans 3:20-22 says, "No one can be made right with God by keeping all the rules... God makes anyone right with himself through faith in Jesus Christ."

I am amazed at how often people think they are going to heaven because they are such good citizens or because their behavior is so righteous. I also am amazed at how often professing Christians think they are going to heaven basically because they know the Bible so well or because they are such good people or because they make fewer mistakes than their religious neighbors down the street.

Folks, no one goes to heaven because he has figured out the Bible so well or because his behavior is so perfect or because he makes fewer mistakes than the believers down the street. There has been only one man who lived well enough to deserve to go to heaven. His name was Jesus. But anyone can go to heaven if he trusts in Jesus because Jesus lived a perfect life and died for our sins. God makes people right by one's faith in Jesus.

Want to go to heaven? You can, not because of your perfect behavior but in spite of it. And fortunately, it doesn't depend on your rating in some public poll. It all depends on what you do with Jesus. Believe in him, trust in him, and heaven will be your home. And how does one show his faith in Jesus? Jesus said ... And Paul said, "You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many ..."