News Flash - Wise Men Got It Wrong

There are so called "Wise Men" in America today that have the ear of many people.  Recently, two of these have gotten it wrong in a huge way.  Of course they are not alone.  Their views are very common, and even popular (although totally in error).

Bill O'Reilly got it wrong!

Just the other night I watched a video of Bill O'Reilly (on Fox News) interview pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Dr. Robert Jeffress.  The topic was "Is There Life After Death".  Of course, Dr. Jeffress did a great job of explaining the Biblical view on this topic.  However, the most interesting part of the interview to me was Bill O'Reilly's misguided idea of how to get to Heaven.  Mr. O'Reilly clearly stated that "if there is a heaven, you have to earn your way in."  He repeated this idea a couple of times as Dr. Jeffress listened.  Dr. Jeffress did a good job of explaining that trusting Christ is the key and that works come after faith in Christ as a demonstration of that faith.  Bill continued to talk about being religious and that there is a judgement day.  Again, Dr. Jeffress restated the need to trust in Christ and that true faith in Christ will manifest itself in a life that reflects that faith.  In the little time he had, Dr. Jeffress kindly, but directly rebutted Mr. O'Reilly's idea of works and deeds.  Bill O'Reilly got it wrong!

Bloomberg got it wrong!

Another so called wise man (although I would strongly disagree) who has the ear of many people is former-mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.  He told the New York Times that based on his work on gun control and fighting smoking and obesity, "I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I'm not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It's not even close."  Bloomberg got it wrong!

Unfortunately, these views and others like it are prevalent in America today (even inside our churches).  The Bible is very clear.  Christ paid it all at the cross of Calvary.  The Bible clearly teaches that only Jesus Christ is the way to heaven.  Not our works, not our good intentions and certainly not our life works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.