My pastor also brought up an interesting point: even if an Atheist were to get into Heaven, it would actually be torture to him!
While we don't know exactly the nature of Heaven, we know that Heaven is a place where you can be with God. And God is love. So if you don't love others, you are going to have a miserable time.
Wait, wait you say. Can't an Atheist be capable of love?
Love is meant to be eternal, to last forever. That's why we say "I love you forever." But atheists believe there is no such thing as forever, when you die you die, you cease to exist.
Second of all, atheists do not recognize their own sin, because to them, there is no such thing as sin. When you don't recognize your sin, you are incapable of truly loving others.
Let me give you a personal example. When I was in HS (before I became Christian) I treated one of my friends very well. I respected him a lot, and trusted him. It turns out the reason I liked him so much was because I was so envious of his good looks (he got all the girls ok) Since I couldn't have what he had, I did the next best thing: worship him. Now, can you honestly say that I liked/loved him? No way, it was tainted with envy (sin).
That's what I mean when I say, a person who does not recognize his own sin cannot truly be capable of loving others.
While we don't know exactly the nature of Heaven, we know that Heaven is a place where you can be with God. And God is love. So if you don't love others, you are going to have a miserable time.
Wait, wait you say. Can't an Atheist be capable of love?
Love is meant to be eternal, to last forever. That's why we say "I love you forever." But atheists believe there is no such thing as forever, when you die you die, you cease to exist.
Second of all, atheists do not recognize their own sin, because to them, there is no such thing as sin. When you don't recognize your sin, you are incapable of truly loving others.
Let me give you a personal example. When I was in HS (before I became Christian) I treated one of my friends very well. I respected him a lot, and trusted him. It turns out the reason I liked him so much was because I was so envious of his good looks (he got all the girls ok) Since I couldn't have what he had, I did the next best thing: worship him. Now, can you honestly say that I liked/loved him? No way, it was tainted with envy (sin).
That's what I mean when I say, a person who does not recognize his own sin cannot truly be capable of loving others.

