It is by the word of God that man will be judged.

Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

One needs to take the time to study the Bible for himself. Each person will give an account as to how he or she live their lives. Spiritual beliefs must be based on what the word teaches.

God’s word is truth (John 17:17). If a person will believe in it and obey, heaven will be their home for eternity.

Many people have been taught and believe that, "It really does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere in your beliefs."

Some teach and believe that everyone is going to heaven, no matter what belief they follow, as long as they are good people.

If these statements were true then everyone would be free to do as they want religiously and a good portion of the New Testament could be thrown out.

If these statements are true then why did Jesus pray that "they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:21-22).

If these thoughts are true why did Cornelius (Acts 10) have to obey the gospel of Christ, he already believed in God and was a good person.

How does one determine what they are going to believe and follow in religion? Some look for the "fullest parking lot."

The assumption is that if so many people are attending a certain place, then surely it must be right. While a full parking lot does not mean a group is wrong, it also does not mean they are right.

Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

When the children of Israel sent spies into the Promised Land, the majority revolted at the idea of taking the land when the spies gave their report (Numbers 14). A large group of people is not a safe way to determine what you believe.

Others determine what they will do religiously based on what their family has believed down through the years.

Paul is an example that shows this idea to be false. He was raised in the Jewish faith, but the Lord told him he had to be taught (Acts 9:22). He had lived in all good conscience (Acts 23:1) but he was following a way opposed to the law of Christ.

Some believe that just because a parent or spouse goes to "church" that they themselves are OK. Even if the family is right religiously, their obedience and service to God will not save another person.

Paul wrote, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (Ezekiel 18:20).

It is important that each person realize that they will be held accountable to God for what they have done.