Most people want to go to heaven when they die. Even non-Christians would like to believe they will be going to heaven.  Their reasoning goes something like this, “If there is a heaven, then I would like to think that those who do good go to heaven and those who don’t do good, don’t go to heaven.” No surprise there.  You go to a non-Christian funeral and the deceased is spoken of in glowing terms for their good deeds and high moral values which have made them worthy of being in heaven.

Well, who wouldn’t like to think that a good, morally sound and decent person will get to heaven?   The thought of such a person not reaching heaven is rather disturbing, to say the least.   And if you as a ‘good’ Christian person think any differently, then perhaps you need to read the Scriptures again about the alternative to heaven. 
Sadly, however, Scripture will not allow us to think a good, morally sound and decent person will necessarily go to heaven.  The Scriptures teach that one must have a saving faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:3ff; 14:6).   So, at the very least we can say if a ‘good’ person loves Jesus as their Saviour, then we can be assured they are in heaven when they close their eyes in death (Jn 11:25-26).  In fact, if a ‘bad’ person loves Jesus Christ as their Saviour (Lk 23:43), they too can be assured of a place in heaven.  
In today’s world, too many people believe a morally upright and good person will get to heaven, irrespective of their beliefs.  Sometimes, Christian leaders who appear on national television delivering a Christmas or Easter message, encourage us all to love and do good.   They may even suggest we follow Jesus’ example.  On the surface, it sounds good, it’s non-offensive but it is not the saving gospel.  
Jesus leaves his harshest criticism for the Pharisees and leaders of the church who thought and taught that if you live by the letter of the law and have good morals, God would be pleased.  The Apostle Paul was extremely annoyed that the Galatian Christians had so quickly abandoned the true gospel.  He even states that those who were teaching a ‘works’ religion to enter heaven be regarded as cursed, twice! (Gal 1:6ff).
If the only message we hear from leaders of the church is about having great morals and doing good deeds, apart from the saving work of Christ, then that is a false message and false gospel.  It may sound OK, it may even encourage us to great things, but it remains a false gospel on its own.   The moment we think that improving our behaviour and morals will be our ticket to heaven, we are on a road that can only end in destruction. 
The Scriptures teach there is only one way to the Father in heaven and that is through His Son.  Of course, we need to be careful not to judge too quickly about someone’s eternity for we don’t always know what happens on a person’s deathbed (Lk 23:43).  Furthermore, Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, that God will reward those who earnestly seek him.  And the reward is that all who have been chosen by the Father, saved by the Son, have their hearts opened by the power of the Holy Spirit to embrace Jesus as their Saviour as they hear the word (Lk 13:48).  So, let us teach and preach the whole counsel of God in all its fullness, and pray that with the Holy Spirit’s blessing many will be brought to Christ and His saving work, the only sure entry ticket to heaven.  Anything less is a false gospel.   JZ