It is the will of God for all spiritual leaders, especially preachers to ensure that their followers make it into the kingdom of heaven.
The pattern for this is found in the history of Israel as a people of God. When God called Moses to bring the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, He also told him that he was to take the people into the good Promised Land. In the same way, when God delivered us from the kingdom of darkness, He intended that we ultimately enter His kingdom when it is finally established on earth during the millennial reign of Christ and that we live with Him forever and ever thereafter.
Unfortunately, primarily because of unbelief or lack of faith, many of those Israelites who had been saved from the iron furnace of Egypt (Deuteronomy 4:20), did not enter the Land flowing with milk and honey. In the same way, many people who accepted Jesus and were saved from the fire of hell are not going to enter heaven and God’s kingdom primarily because of lack of faith. You see, true faith in Christ is evidenced by the fruits of good works (James 2). Therefore, when Christians consistently practice the things God has clearly forbidden, they are simply manifesting what has happened in their hearts – a change of allegiance from God back to the devil and the world. This is similar to what happened with the redeemed Israelites in the wilderness. When things did not go as they expected, in their hearts they went back to Pharoah and Egypt. Oftentimes they even vocalized the ‘return’.
Just like Moses who was tasked with taking the Israelites into the Land, it is the primary calling of all preachers to ensure that those who listen to them enter the kingdom of heaven. That is why Paul told Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Preachers who teach that all Christians, are going to heaven irrespective of their ungodly conduct are indirectly leading many of their listeners to hell instead of heaven and the Kingdom. The true doctrine is that Christians who practice the sinful works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Teaching the truth will save the hearers from going to hell. Those hearers will then know that, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). Those hearers who choose to look forward to the glorious return and appearing of the Lord by living righteously will be ushered into His kingdom. The preacher will have saved them. For those who continue in the works of the flesh because of the false doctrine that says “once saved always saved”, will not have the preacher to blame. More importantly, God will not count that preacher responsible for the eternal damnation of his or her followers. On the contrary, the preacher will be greatly rewarded of God for having preached the bitter truth.
Now, just as Paul told Timothy, the preachers too must take heed to themselves (1 Timothy 4:16). Otherwise, if they continue in sin they too will burn in hell irrespective of the great spiritual things they will have done. That is why Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
As for me and my house LAT, we shall serve the Lord by taking heed to the right doctrine. In doing so, we shall ‘save ourselves’.
God bless you.