I was reading an online news article about the death of Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, and someone in the comments section called it the height of arrogance that she said she was going straight to heaven.
I can’t speak for Tammy Faye — I don’t know much about her other than general knowledge from the news over the years. But it isn’t arrogance to confidently declare that one is going to heaven if one’s confidence is in Christ.
I John 5:13 says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (emphasis mine).
How miserable it would be to go through life not knowing that!
Of course, if someone believed that getting to heaven was based on one’s good works outweighing the bad or trying to “do the best I can,” then it might indeed sound arrogant to say confidently that one is going to heaven, because that confidence would be based on thinking he or she was a pretty good person. But it would be worse than arrogant: it would dead wrong.
Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Salvation is based in dependence on what Christ did.
I Corinthians 15:3-4: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
I John 5:11-12: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Stray Thoughts 
I have never understood why someone would think it arrogant for a person to say they knew they were going to Heaven, but now that you put it that way – if they were depending on their own works – I can see it. How glad I am that I don’t have to worry about my own works getting me there, but I can trust Christ’s work for me!
This is what I know:
I am a sinful, broken woman who is not worthy of being in the presence of God. On my own I can do nothing of worth, and am only fit for hell.
BUT
I am going to heaven when I die because the blood of Jesus has cleansed me. I am forgiven of my sin and because of Jesus’ righteousness given to me, one day I will stand in the presence of Almighty God.
I am confident of my eternity because of Jesus Christ alone. I will boast in the Lord and in His amazing grace!
Thanks for a great post, Barbara.
I completely agree! Very well said!
Very well written, Barbara. To have the certainty of faith with the humility of a heart awakened and sustained by grace.
What would we do if we had to earn it? I’m so thankful that Jesus did the work for us! I’m going to heaven too…and no I don’t deserve it! HUGS and thanks for writing about something so important!
I don’t think it is arrogance either!
Great Post. I only knew of Tammy Faye in the past few years (I recently learned that we went to the same college). But what I have seen of her, I am certain that she is in heaven, right now. You are 100% correct- it is not arrogance to proclaim that you will go to heaven.
Thanks for a great post and Thank you to Barbara as well for a very well stated post!
I will meet you in heaven my sisters!
I can’t wait to bow at the feet of my dear Saviour!
I believe that there are people and forces who want us to be afraid, who do not want to see us freed and free willed. The message you are so well developping, is opening up our hearts and minds. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.