Good isn’t good enough: A Lesson from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Have you ever noticed that at funerals, everyone ends up in heaven or some version of it? No matter how complicated the life was, no matter how many unfinished stories or obvious flaws there were, no matter who they were or how they lived—by the end of the service, we all nod solemnly and say they’re in a “better place” now. It’s comforting. It’s kind. And in moments of grief, it feels necessary.

But it also reveals something we rarely question—the assumption that heaven is the default destination. It’s like dying comes with an automatic upgrade to eternal bliss. We assume that if we live a good life and mean well, everything will work out in the end. But what if sincerity isn’t enough? What if being moral, spiritual, or even religious doesn’t automatically lead us to heaven? What if—according to Jesus—most people actually won’t make it there?

That idea feels uncomfortable in a culture built on inclusion, intention, and “my truth.” We like systems where effort counts. But the reality Jesus points to isn’t about intention at all. It’s about trust. Think about the scene above. Indy stands at the edge of what looks like certain death. No bridge. No safety rail. Just a whisper of faith. His success wasn’t about effort or desire. Wanting it badly didn’t create the bridge. The bridge was already there—but it only became real when he trusted enough to step forward. That’s the tension Jesus brings into the conversation about heaven. The idea that we get in simply because we’re “generally good” sounds reassuring, but Jesus directly challenges it:

Narrow is the gate…and few find it!
With that one statement, Jesus shuts down the assumption that everyone automatically gets in. He also confronts another popular idea—that being religious, active, or morally upright is enough, and proceeds to describe people who look extremely legit on the outside. These aren’t spiritual slackers. They preached. They performed miracles. They did impressive, headline-worthy, spiritual things in His name. If there were Christian résumés, theirs would be stacked. And yet, when they stand before Him, His response is chilling: “I never knew you.”

“The final issue is not whether we knew Jesus’ name, but whether Jesus knew us.”
– John Piper

That’s the key issue—Relationship!
These weren’t people who didn’t know about Jesus. They knew the language. They knew when to raise their hands. They showed up. They did “Christian things.” But their faith never went deeper than the surface. Here’s the difference: real faith shows up in how you live—but not because you’re trying to earn God’s approval. The change flows out of actually knowing Jesus, not trying to impress Him. God doesn’t care about polished social media profiles. Good works don’t save us; salvation produces good works.

Following Jesus isn’t about checking religious boxes or curating a spiritual image. It’s about relationship first. And when that relationship is real, life change naturally follows.

Jesus wasn’t dismissing belief—He was calling out a belief that never moves, never surrenders, and never obeys. He says many people will be genuinely shocked. Religious people. Moral people. Active people. People who did big things in His name—yet never actually entrusted their lives to Him. And notice their response. They won’t say, “Lord, we didn’t know You were real.” They’ll say, “Lord, didn’t we do things for You?” But Jesus makes it clear: the problem was never a lack of activity. The problem was a lack of relationship.

“It is not what we say with our lips, but what we do with our lives that will be the test at the last great day.”
– Charles Spurgeon

So what does it actually mean to do the will of the Father? It doesn’t start with cleaning yourself up or doing better religiously. It starts with surrender. With stepping forward instead of standing at the edge, overanalyzing the risk, running every possible outcome, and still refusing to move. The first act of obedience is receiving what God freely offers—salvation through Jesus Christ. God makes the first move. And when we respond in faith, salvation becomes real. Scripture puts it this way:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
 - John 1:12 (New King James Version)

Receiving Christ is personal. It’s not inherited. It’s not automatic. And it’s not just agreeing with facts about Jesus. Real faith means placing your full trust in Him—and that trust shows up in how you live. The apostle John says it plainly:

This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commands…Whoever says they remain in Him should walk just as He walked.
 - 1 John 2: 3–6

A transformed life is the evidence of genuine faith. And to be clear, God isn’t trying to keep people out. Scripture says He wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. But entrance into heaven happens on God’s terms, not ours. And the good news is that His terms are rooted in grace. When we stop pretending that we measure up—no matter how good we think we are—and turn to Christ in repentance and faith, something powerful happens. We’re made new. We’re given a new identity and a new home.

• If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Our citizenship is in heaven – Philippians 3:20

Jesus couldn’t be clearer: not everyone enters heaven. But anyone who humbly and intentionally entrusts their life to Him can. That’s the invitation. Not to try harder. Not to look better. But to trust fully—and follow faithfully. So here’s the question we all have to answer—not someday, but now:

Have I just believed about Jesus…or have I truly entrusted my life to Him?