Hey Guys!
During my absence I had the opportunity to speak with a truly wise and gifted man, and one of the topics that came up was heaven/hell and forgiveness and the such. And what came out of it was so great that I can't stop thinking about it. What a great guy! Here's how it goes:

In the beginning of one of the gospels (can't remember which one) Jesus is walking and some people are just following him around - not talking with him or anything, just following him. Finally, Jesus turns to them and asks them "What are you looking for?". Probably a little dumbfounded by the blatant question, then men respond "where are you staying?". And lo and behold, they got to where the Master was staying.

The story continues of course, but this man used this story as an example to show me that God pretty much provides for us the questions of our hearts. Thats means that if our hearts truly want to seek God, God will let that happen (of course there is still the effort needed of our part, but God opens the door).

The same this is with sin and hell. If we get to the Gate and we've done some bad things but in our heart we want forgiveness, God will surely provide that forgiveness and we will make it into heaven. But if in our lives we were purposefully going against God and that was what we wanted to do, when we get to the Gates our hearts won't be able to lie - our heart wouldn't ask for forgiveness, so we wouldn't get to heaven.

Its not a matter or being forgiven or not. God will always forgive! Rather, it is a matter of us asking for it. It is easy for us to lie and ask for forgiveness on earth because, well, we can lie. But after we die, all will be exposed and it will only be our true desires that count. If our true desire is to be with God and to be forgiven for all the bad things we have done, then thats what will happen. But an evil person who truly hates God, their heart will not ask for forgiveness but will only want more distance from God.

So heaven/hell, forgiveness/unforgiveness are all really our own choice. God can do ANYTHING, but its that free will that screws some of us.

At least thats how I remember it being taught to me. If that man reads this post he'll probably do a back-flip over all the errors I made, but I think I got the major point across.

As of course, I have no idea if this is actually true or not. But it spoke to my heart with such truth that that is what I believe. Anyways, just my (err ... his) two cents!

Graces of God,
Deliverance