What should Christians believe about how people get to heaven?

This summer I’ve had the pleasure of leading a small group through the Reason for God small group curriculum.  Last night was our final night of the curriculum and the topic was Hell – how could a loving God be full of wrath, and how could God send people to Hell?  It’s a question that has definitely been brought to the forefront lately with the release of Rob Bell’s book Love Wins, which occasioned several book-length responses, including Francis Chan’s Erasing Hell, which I intend to read but haven’t yet purchased.

During our discussion the question came up – how can we be sure we’re saved?  Are the people who think they’re going to heaven that in fact aren’t going to heaven?  (According to Jesus in Matthew 7.21-24 there are.)  How can we be sure we’re not one of those people? 

Here are a few links I passed along to my group on the topic and I hope you will take the time to read them too.  If you’re a Christian I hope they encourage you and give you hope, that they remind you where the burden of your sins lies.  If you’re not Christian, reading them could help you understand just what it is the Bible teachers about salvation and forgiveness after all.

Michael McKinley, author of a book called "Am I Really A Christian?": How Can I Have Assurance of Salvation?, Is it wrong to look inward for Assurance?,  The Basis of Our Assurance, How Can I Be Sure That I'm Not a Christian?

Tim Challies: 3 Statements on Assurance of Salvation, The Basis of the Christian's Assurance

Tullian Tchvidjian's blog: Where To Look When You're in Trouble, The Subjective Power of an Objective Gospel, Christ Died for the sins of Christians too
The Gospel Coalition's Review of "Am I Really A Christian?"

Blogs I read

A friend recently asked me to share some of the blogs I read.  I have a nice Google Reader setup with several RSS subscriptions.  I usually scan the headlines and read posts that stick out to me.  There are some blogs, however, that I read every post from. 

Usually the reason is that I actually know the person in real life and therefore care what they write.  Other times it’s because I’ve found what they write to be useful and/or interesting enough to start reading.  Anyway – I’ll share a few of the blogs that are currently in my RSS feed:

• I Will Teach You To Be Rich – Despite the title it’s a great blog by a really sharp guy.  The posts have a lot to do with personal finance but Ramit Sethi (the author) focuses a lot on psychology and behavior as well.  Usually really interesting and/or useful stuff.
• Matt Maiocco’s 49ers Blog – Not your typical sports reporter – Maiocco has top notch stuff on the 49ers and he’s the only beat writer I make it a point to read.
• Lifehacker – Several posts daily relating to all kinds of things that could make your life easier.
• Art of Manliness – Just what it sounds like.  Interesting articles that profile particular men, deal with skills associated with men, etc.  Useful for women too, of course.
• Consumerism Commentary – Personal Finance.
• Cake, Batter, and Bowl – Cooking/baking/recipes.
• Get Rich Slowly – Frugality, saving/investing, etc.
• GTD Times – Official blog of “Getting Things Done” guru David Allen.
• You Are Not So Smart – A blog about the foibles of our brains.

I also read pretty much every post from the blogs I have linked on my right sidebar – the blogs of friends of mine.

I would love to check out any recommendations you have for me on blogs you think I should be reading.