Faith alone
We have friends and family members who believe that homosexuality, abortion, living together without marriage, being a Christian Scientist and other things against God's word is fine. My husband believes that as long as they believe that Jesus died for their sins, their salvation is fine. (Neither of us grew up WELS but have been members for 17 years.) I know it is by grace we have been saved through faith, but don't we need to live a Christian life to the best of our ability and believe God's word and all of his commandments? Do unrepentant sinners who have been led down these wrong paths of belief go to heaven?
Jesus said, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). He did not say that part of God’s word or some of God’s word or most of God’s word is truth. He said all of God’s word is truth. For people to say otherwise is more than presumptuous; it is forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19).
Jesus said, “The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). No word of Scripture can be dismissed as false; every word of Scripture is true because it is God’s word (1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). Christian faith takes God at his word and believes what he says because he does not lie (Numbers 23:19).
False teachings and beliefs are always dangerous and threatening to saving faith, which looks to Jesus Christ alone for salvation. While we recognize that impenitent sinners will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), we leave the judgment of people’s hearts to God (1 Samuel 16:7).
Your questions are a good reminder that you and I have reason to keep testifying to others of the truth of God’s word and praying that God will change their hearts. God help you do just that.