[KeepUSfree]

I've always wondered....

Which one of these people has a better chance of getting into heaven.....??

A) An atheist who abhors evil and has "worked for the side of good" his entire life, or

B) A externally devout "believer" who has worked for evil thier entire life - then confesses all sins seconds before dying.

Just wondering....

[goldstategop]

The atheist. For Jews a person is judged by their deeds more than their beliefs. If you act against those who are evil, you are doing God's work on earth. That counts for more with the Almighty than someone who is outwardly pious but wouldn't stop evil when he witnesses it. The Prophets are full of exhortations about the need to behave as ethical human beings than about fulfilling religious ritual. Sure, rituals are important but only if we resolve to be better persons than we are - in and of themselves, they will not secure for us God's blessings.

[chantal7]

I vote for #2 because I believe that in order to get to heaven, the first step is that you have to believe in God and confessing one's sins is probably a sign that you do believe in Him and an afterlife.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

"A) An atheist who abhors evil and has "worked for the side of good" his entire life, or

"B) A externally devout "believer" who has worked for evil thier entire life - then confesses all sins seconds before dying."

Aha! A trick question. The correct answer is:
C) He who puts his faith in Jesus Christ to save him from his sins.

Good works do not wipe out our past sins--or our future sins. Any sin disqualifies any human from eternal life.

Confession of sin does no good unless you trust in Jesus to save you.

[bvw]

They both do. As to the chance? Not for us to see. In each moment of life we balance on the scale between good and evil. As we do good, bigger challenges are set to us. The balance is kept, it is needed for spiritual growth.