The Myth of Purgatory – A Man-Made Doctrine

Today, we're diving into a topic that may stir up some curiosity, some confusion, and maybe even a little bit of righteous frustration—Purgatory. Now, I know this is a concept that’s been around for centuries, and a lot of folks have been taught that it’s part of the Christian faith. But here's the catch: Purgatory is not in the Bible.

It’s a man-made doctrine, and I’m about to tell you why it’s more of a myth than a biblical truth, and why believing in it is, quite frankly, an insult to the finished work of Christ.

The Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory

For those of you who might not be familiar, Purgatory is a doctrine in the Catholic Church that teaches after we die, some of us (depending on our sins) go to a temporary place where we are purified before entering heaven. Think of it as a "waiting room" or "spiritual cleaning station" before we can get into God’s presence.

According to Catholic tradition, souls in purgatory are believed to undergo a process of purification—something like a spiritual car wash, if you will. They have to work off their sins and imperfections before they can be fully welcomed into Heaven. It’s like a cosmic time-out for bad behavior, but, hey, don't worry, you’re not there forever. You just need to "pay off" those sins in purgatory before you’re good to go.

Now, here's the thing: Purgatory is not found in the Bible. It’s not there. Zip. Zilch. Nada. No mention of it anywhere in God’s Word. So where did this idea come from? It comes from Satan's deceptive traditions, opinions, and teachings that have been added by men—people who tried to make sense of the afterlife, but didn’t exactly check in with God’s Word first.

The Bible Doesn’t Mention Purgatory—Why? Because it’s Not Needed!

Let me make this point crystal clear: The Bible never mentions purgatory because it’s completely unnecessary. Why? Because Jesus already did all the work needed for our sins. He didn’t leave us to deal with the mess ourselves. Imagine you’re in debt up to your eyeballs. You’re overwhelmed, stressed, and trying to figure out how you’ll ever pay it all off. Then, a generous stranger comes and says, “I’ve paid off your entire debt. You’re free.”

Now, what would you think if, a month later, that same stranger says, “Oh wait, I forgot to tell you, you still need to pay a little bit more. You need to go to a ‘debt purification’ center for a while to finish it off.” Would you be offended? Of course, you would! You’d say, “Hold up, I thought you took care of it all. Why do I need to finish paying it off?”

This is exactly what we’re doing when we believe in purgatory.

Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Those three words were spoken when He died on the cross. Finished. Done. No more work left to be done. Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins. If we believe we still need to do something to pay for our sins, we’re essentially saying, “Jesus, your sacrifice wasn’t enough.”

Let that sink in for a moment. It’s like telling Jesus, “Thanks, but I’ve got this from here. I’ll just finish the job.”

Purgatory Contradicts Christ’s Sacrifice

You see, purgatory directly contradicts the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. If our sins were truly paid for on the cross, there should be no further punishment needed. Jesus took the full wrath of God on Himself so that we wouldn’t have to. Hebrews 10:12-14 says, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God... For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Did you catch that? Jesus made a single offering that was enough for all time. That means you don't need to go to "spiritual jail" for a few extra years to "get right" before you can enter heaven.

The Danger of Believing in Purgatory

So, why is believing in purgatory a problem? Well, for one, it makes light of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. If we start thinking we need to pay for our sins or go through some kind of extra purification process, we’re essentially saying that Jesus' work on the cross wasn’t enough. That’s not just incorrect; it’s insulting to the work He did for us and you do not want to insult God.

Secondly, it causes unnecessary fear. Imagine worrying about whether you’ve done enough good works to avoid the “purgatory line.” Or worse, if your loved ones are stuck there, waiting for you to send them “spiritual cash” or prayers to speed up their time. That’s an awful lot of emotional and mental energy spent on something that doesn’t exist.

Finally, it distracts from the simple gospel message: We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There’s nothing we can do to earn it, and there’s nothing we can add to it. It’s a gift. And that’s the good news we should be living by!

What Should We Believe About the Afterlife?

So what does the Bible say about the afterlife? It’s simple: If you’ve put your trust in Christ, you’re saved. No purgatory needed. No waiting around in some heavenly “line.” Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you.” He’s already prepared a place for those who trust in Him.

And for those who don’t trust in Christ? The Bible calls it separation from God. There’s no middle ground. It’s either eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him. And there’s no waiting in some purgatory lobby until things get sorted out. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”

So, in short, if you’re in Christ, you’re secure. You’re not going to some “heavenly rehab” to work off your sins. You’re going straight to the presence of God because Jesus has already done it all for you.

Conclusion

Let me wrap it up with this: Purgatory is a deceptive man-made false doctrine. It’s not in the Bible, it contradicts the finished work of Christ on the cross, and it undermines the sufficiency of His sacrifice. Jesus did everything necessary for us to be forgiven, and all we need to do is trust in Him.

If you’re tempted to fall for ideas like purgatory, remember this: Jesus already took care of everything for you. There’s no waiting room, no extra punishment needed. When you trust in Christ, your place in heaven is already prepared. Let’s believe in the truth of what Jesus has done for us and leave the myths behind.

Let's pray

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with grateful hearts, thankful for the incredible sacrifice You made for us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we recognize that it is not by our works, our deeds, or anything we could ever do that we are saved—it is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thank You for the finished work of the cross, where Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all.

Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve tried to add to what You have already completed. Help us to trust fully in Your sufficiency, knowing that our salvation is secure in You. Help us to never lose sight of the truth that it is not about what we can do, but about what You’ve already done for us.

We pray for anyone who is still caught up in the confusion of man-made doctrines, like purgatory, and we ask that You open their eyes to the truth of Your Word. May we live with confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ and share this good news with others who may be struggling with these false beliefs.

Lord, we also pray for those who are burdened by fear, guilt, or shame, thinking they have to “pay” for their sins or “earn” Your love. Remind them that You love them unconditionally, and there is nothing more they need to do but accept Your gift of grace.

Thank You for the freedom we have in Christ. Help us to walk in that freedom every day and to share the hope of the gospel with a world that desperately needs it.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

And remember, it is finished—you don’t have to add anything to it!