Who will go to heaven according to the Bible? 

Psalm 15 

Heaven is a place where God dwells and where his people will enjoy his presence forever. But who can enter this holy place? What kind of person is qualified to be a citizen of heaven? The psalmist David asks this question in Psalm 15, and gives us a clear answer.

 Psalm 15: A description of the righteous

Psalm 15 is a short but powerful psalm that describes the character and conduct of the righteous, those who are acceptable to God and will dwell with him in his tabernacle. The psalm begins with a question:

 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (Psalm 15:1 KJV)

The tabernacle and the holy hill refer to the place where God manifested his presence among his people in the Old Testament. The tabernacle was a tent that Moses built according to God's instructions, where God met with Moses and spoke to him (Exodus 25:8-9; 33:7-11). The holy hill was Mount Zion, where David brought the ark of the covenant and where Solomon built the temple, a permanent house for God (2 Samuel 6:12-17; 1 Kings 8:1-13). These places were symbols of God's dwelling place in heaven, where he reigns in glory and majesty (Psalm 2:4; 11:4).

The question implies that not everyone can enter God's presence or enjoy his fellowship. There are certain requirements or qualifications that must be met. The rest of the psalm answers this question by listing ten characteristics of the righteous, those who walk in God's ways and please him. These characteristics are not only external actions, but also internal attitudes and motives. They are not only negative, avoiding evil, but also positive, doing good. They are not only vertical, relating to God, but also horizontal, relating to others. They are not only occasional, but consistent and habitual.

The ten characteristics are:

- He that walketh uprightly (v. 2): This means to live with integrity, honesty and sincerity, according to God's standards of truth and justice.

- He that worketh righteousness (v. 2): This means to do what is right and good in God's sight, obeying his commands and fulfilling his will.

- He that speaketh the truth in his heart (v. 2): This means to be truthful not only in words, but also in thoughts and intentions, avoiding lies, deception and hypocrisy.

- He that backbiteth not with his tongue (v. 3): This means to refrain from speaking evil or slanderous words about others, especially behind their backs, harming their reputation or character.

- He that doeth not evil to his neighbour (v. 3): This means to treat others with kindness and respect, not harming them or violating their rights or interests.

- He that taketh not up a reproach against his neighbour (v. 3): This means to avoid spreading false or malicious accusations or rumors about others, or joining in with those who do so.

- In whose eyes a vile person is contemned (v. 4): This means to reject and despise those who are wicked and immoral, not following their example or approving their actions.

- But he honoureth them that fear the Lord (v. 4): This means to respect and esteem those who are godly and pious, following their example and joining with them in worship and service.

- He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not (v. 4): This means to keep one's promises and commitments, even if they are costly or inconvenient, not breaking one's word or oath.

- He that putteth not out his money to usury (v. 5): This means to lend money without charging excessive or oppressive interest, not exploiting or oppressing the poor or needy.

- Nor taketh reward against the innocent (v. 5): This means to refuse bribes or gifts that would influence one's judgment or testimony, not perverting justice or harming the innocent.

The psalm ends with a promise:

> He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15:5 KJV)

This means that the righteous will be secure and stable in their relationship with God and in their eternal destiny. They will not be shaken by trials or temptations, by enemies or dangers, by changes or uncertainties. They will abide in God's tabernacle and dwell in his holy hill forever.

Application: How can we be righteous?

Psalm 15 gives us a clear picture of what God expects from his people, and what he rewards with his presence and blessing. But how can we attain to this high standard of righteousness? How can we be qualified to enter heaven and enjoy God's fellowship?

The answer is not by our own efforts or merits, but by God's grace and mercy. The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners, who have fallen short of God's glory and broken his law (Romans 3:23; 1 John 3:4). We cannot save ourselves or earn God's favor by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). We deserve God's wrath and judgment, not his love and mercy (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15).

But the good news is that God has provided a way for us to be forgiven and accepted by him, through his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only mediator between God and man, the only Savior of sinners (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 4:12). He came into the world, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead on the third day, and ascended to heaven, where he intercedes for us (Matthew 1:21-23; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 7:25). He fulfilled all the requirements of God's law and righteousness for us, and bore all the penalties of our sins and unrighteousness on himself (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13).

The only way to be righteous in God's sight is to trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, to repent of our sins and turn to him in faith and obedience (Acts 16:31; Acts 20:21). When we do so, God forgives us of all our sins, declares us righteous in his sight, adopts us as his children, gives us his Holy Spirit, and guarantees us a place in heaven (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-26; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:2-3).

But this does not mean that we can live as we please, or ignore God's commands. On the contrary, when we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, we are also called to live by grace through faith in Christ. We are called to follow Jesus as our Lord and Master, to obey his will and word, to imitate his example and character, to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 9:23; John 14:15; Ephesians 5:1-2; Mark 12:30-31).

The characteristics of the righteous in Psalm 15 are not the cause of our salvation, but the evidence of our salvation. They are not the means of our entrance into heaven, but the marks of our citizenship in heaven. They are not the conditions of God's grace, but the fruits of God's grace. They are not the basis of our acceptance by God, but the result of our acceptance by God.

Therefore, let us examine ourselves by the light of Psalm 15, and see if we have these characteristics in our lives. Let us ask ourselves:

- Do I walk uprightly before God and men?

- Do I work righteousness in my actions and deeds?

- Do I speak the truth in my heart and with my mouth?

- Do I refrain from backbiting or slandering others?

- Do I treat others with kindness and respect?

- Do I avoid spreading or believing false or malicious accusations or rumors about others?

- Do I reject and despise wickedness and immorality?

- Do I respect and esteem godliness and piety?

- Do I keep my promises and commitments?

- Do I lend money without charging excessive or oppressive interest?

- Do I refuse bribes or gifts that would influence my judgment or testimony?

If we find ourselves lacking in any of these areas, let us confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness and cleansing. Let us also ask for his grace and strength to help us grow in these virtues. Let us pray that he would make us more like Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled all these characteristics for us.

And if we find ourselves having these characteristics in our lives, let us thank God for his grace and mercy that has saved us and changed us. Let us also praise him for his promise that he will never leave us nor forsake us, that he will keep us from falling, that he will preserve us until the end, that he will welcome us into his tabernacle and holy hill forever.

May God help us all to be righteous.