As a devout Christian, I look forward to making it to heaven. I took a special interest in this topic back in theology school after I heard some religious people say that one has to be perfect to go to heaven. I decided to conduct more research on this and spent a lot of time reading the Bible and talking to different religious leaders in the local churches. Last week as I was teaching a theology class about perfection in relation to going to heaven, one of my students was curious to find out whether an imperfect person can go to heaven. Another asked me whether perfection is a requirement for salvation. Since I had thoroughly researched this topic and talked to different religious leaders, I had all the right answers at my fingertips. So, do you have to be perfect to go to heaven?
Going to heaven is not about being perfect. This is because the Bible explains that there is nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven (Isaiah 64:6). The only key to heaven is believing in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins so that we are cleansed and made holy before his Father. (John 14:6) Therefore, the requirement to go to heaven is not perfection but faith in Christ.
In this article, I invite you to join me as we examine whether perfection is a requirement to go to heaven. Keep reading to discover why God demands perfection even when humans are imperfect, whether imperfect people can go to heaven, and much more!
Does God demand perfection as a requirement for salvation?
No. Though perfection and salvation go hand in hand, God does not demand perfection as a requirement for salvation. The Bible tells us that to get saved, one must believe that Jesus died for their sins. It also reminds us that we have all fallen short of the glory of God due to our sins. (Romans 3:23)Though our sins ruin perfection, we can still receive salvation if we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness.
The Bible reminds us that we do not receive salvation based on our merit. Due to the sin that we inherited from our first parents, we are not good enough. However, putting our faith in Jesus is the only way to receive salvation. (John 14:6) Though perfection is not a requirement for salvation, God tells us to follow his example. In Ephesians 5:1-2, he instructs us to walk in the way of love, just as Jesus loved us.
If human beings cannot be perfect, why does God demand perfection?
Though we are not perfect, God demands perfection from us because he is a perfect God. In 1st Peter 1:16, God tells us to be holy because he is holy. Jesus also emphasized the same in Matthew 5:48 since he told his followers they must be perfect just like their heavenly Father is perfect.
God also demands perfection from humans so that one day we can see him. Hebrews 12:14 says that without holiness, we cannot see the Lord. God also demands perfection from us since he redeemed us through this grace and saved us from sin and death. Since he gave us a new life in Jesus, he expects us to offer our lives to him in complete holiness and live by his standards.
Does the Bible mention that you must be perfect to go to heaven?
The Bible does not mention that perfection is required to go to heaven. It states that for us to go to heaven, we must believe in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. In John 14:6, Jesus says that no one can come to the Father except through him since he is the life, the truth, and the way.
Jesus also said in Matthew 16:9 that he had the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He did not mention perfection as the requirement to go to heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 also reminds us that we are saved by grace. It also tells us that salvation is not our own doing and is not because of how perfect we are but a gift from God.
When you go to heaven, do you become perfect like God?
Most Biblical scholars speculate that we will become perfect when we go to heaven. This is based on 1st John 3:2, which says that when we see God as he is, we shall be like him. The Bible tells us that God is holy (Habakkuk 1:13) and that no sin can exist in God’s presence. Therefore, there will be no imperfection in heaven. Just as God is holy, so is his dwelling. Most Christians believe that since heaven is perfect, those living in it must also be perfect.
However, some argue that even in heaven, man cannot achieve the perfection of God since God is incapable of sin while man is sinful. However, due to the salvation that Jesus brought us, theologians speculate that when we get to heaven, we shall be perfectly sinless.
If nobody is perfect, how do you become perfect once in heaven?
Though man is born with sin, they become perfect in heaven due to their salvation through Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross for us, he was preparing us to be fit for heaven, a perfect place. The Bible reminds us that for one to enter heaven, they must first be cleansed from their sins through the blood of Jesus Christ (1st John 1:7).
Once you get saved, you can get to heaven and become perfect. John 1:12 reminds us that when one is born again, one becomes God’s child. Christians believe that they will one day receive new bodies that will never sin again.
Can imperfect people go to heaven?
Yes. The Bible explains that while in the flesh, humans will always struggle with a sinful nature (Romans 7:14-24). Despite this, imperfect people can go to heaven as long as they repent of their sins and receive salvation. Christians believe that Jesus made way for imperfect people to go to heaven.
When Jesus died, he paid the required price for our sins. Therefore when an imperfect person believes in him, he can go to heaven since Jesus already paid the penalty for their sins. However, the Bible encourages us to be more like Christ by living holy lives.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
