Perhaps you have heard this one: There was a woman flying to Houston who had taken a seat in first class, even though her ticket was only for coach. The stewardess tried to get her to move, but the woman would not hear of it. "I'm blonde", she stated, "I am beautiful, and I'm flying first class to Houston". The stewardess went to the cabin and reported the problem to the co-pilot, who said that he would take care of the woman, himself.

However, when he approached the woman, she said again, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, and I am flying first class to Houston". The co-pilot went to the captain and recounted the conversation. "She's blonde? Why didn't you tell me she was blonde?", the captain inquired, "I married a blonde - I speak blonde!"

At that the captain went to the woman and quietly whispered something that only she could hear. The woman blushed, got up and said, "I am so sorry - I didn't realize", and then immediately went back to her seat in coach. Amazed, the stewardess and co-pilot asked the captain what he said to get the woman to move. "It was simple", he replied, "I just told her that first class wasn't going to Houston."

While this story is obviously a bit far fetched, it is no more ridiculous than the attitude of many people with the "beautiful blonde syndrome". We are quick to see that the woman did not have a right to fly first class because she had not made the arrangements to do so in advance. Yet, she still felt entitled to first class because of who she thought she was. How many people are just like her, who, though never having made the required arrangements, feel that they are going to Heaven? And they, like that self-deluded woman, feel that they have a right to Heaven because of who they are.

The fact is that no one is going to Heaven absent of God's grace, but there is a required role for each one of us. While we can never "pay" the price of Heaven (for Christ has paid the ultimate price with His own blood), there is still a lifetime of obedient service that is expected of all of God's children. And, just as airlines have a coach class for those unwilling to pay the price for first class, God has created a hell for those who have not made the required arrangements for Heaven.

But for those who are willing to pay the price, it will be Paradise!

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own, they belong to the Father who sent me.

John 14:23-24, NIV