When discussing the Lake of Fire the Scriptures do not raise the issue of doctrine. In the churches we fuss too much about doctrine, about theological belief, and not nearly enough about conduct. The difference in eternal destiny is not based on belief in the virgin birth or the correct viewpoint concerning the Trinity. The holding of correct theological beliefs will not gain us admittance to the new Jerusalem; neither will the lack of such beliefs result in our being cast into the Lake of Fire.

It is what we are in character that counts with God.

The difference in destiny is shown to be determined by the presence or absence of specific behaviors: fear, unbelief, abominations, murder, adultery, and so forth. By unbelief is meant unbelief in the faithfulness of God and in the promises of God, not lack of belief in theological statements.

When stating doctrinal belief or lack of it will not determine our eternal destiny, we are not referring to living faith and belief, that is, the placing of our faith in Christ as our Saviour. Living faith is the basis of our salvation, and the second of the eight sinful behaviors is unbelief.

Rather we are referring to dead belief, that is, belief that is mental knowledge and not a personal relationship with the Son of God. Faith without works is dead.

The Scriptures state if any man be in Christ there is a "new creature." Can we infer from this that if there is no new creature the believer is not "in Christ"? Can he be saved and not be in Christ? We only can be sure that our faith is a saving faith when we can observe a change in our personality from the likeness of Satan to the likeness of Christ.

The true saint is known by what he is in character, how he behaves in the presence of God and man. This is how we are to measure faith. The identifying mark of the Divine redemption is the appearance of a new creation in the moral image of Christ.

The inhabitants of the new Jerusalem will not be practicing sin and seeking continually to be forgiven. They will not be abiding in forgiveness but in holiness, righteousness, and obedience to God. No satanic behavior will be practiced in the holy city.

Perhaps all Christians would agree the inhabitants of the new Jerusalem will be righteous in behavior, not sinful and rebellious people who are termed "righteous" because of their trust in the righteousness of Christ to save them.

To be continued.