day no. 17,166: heaven and hell how to's

"Salvation and damnation are in no way symmetrical. Damnation is a paycheck, accurately calculated down to the last penny. Salvation is the gift of God. Death and life are certainly not the same thing, but we also need to remember that wages and gifts are not the same thing either. Hell is earned, and Heaven is given. Hell is only earned, and Heaven is only given." — Douglas Wilson, An Open Letter to President Trump About Heaven

Hell is where everyone gets what they deserve. Death is a paycheck. Damnation is getting what it is due.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heaven, however, is a gift. Life is a favor. Salvation is getting grace.

Hell is how God answers those who demand their due.

Heaven is how God answers those who beg for mercy.

Mercy is not getting something bad that you have earned.

Grace is getting something good that you did not earn.

Heaven is mercy and grace in one place. It is not sending you to Hell that you deserve and granting you access to Heaven that you don't.

John 1:16

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace upon grace.