There is one question that is the most important of all questions. It is very crucial for you to have the right answer to this question as your answer determines where you put your trust. Many people have put their trust in Christ alone. For some, it’s Christ plus their good works, while others rely solely on their works and self-righteousness for salvation. After reading this article, you will know where you belong and how to get back on the right track, if needed.
Introduction
Life is full of questions. If you’ve ever been in the academia, you will understand what it means to take tests and exams. In some exams, you answer just a few questions. In others, you confront a lot of questions for which the examiner demands answers. Often times, your answers to those questions determine your progress; they determine whether you understand the materials or not; they determine whether you will pass or fail.
But with all those questions you might have answered in life (correctly or incorrectly), there is one question that is the most important of all. And that is the one concerning afterlife, your eternity.
All your accomplishments here on earth amount to nothing if you don’t have the right answer to this very important question. The purpose of this lesson is to present to you the question. Read the question, and write down your answers. Then open your Bible and try to verify that those answers comply with what the Bible says.
All your accomplishments here on earth amount to nothing if you don’t have the right answer to this very important question.
The Most Important Question
Many people believe in many extra-biblical teachings. Even among the so-called Christians of nowadays, there are many doctrines which did not come from the Bible, and many still believe them. If you are already a Christian, and you’re applying to your life commandments of men, or teachings which you’re yet to verify in the Bible, it is a serious problem. A problem you will need to address today before it is too late. And if you’re not a Christian, you need to find out why you’re here, where you will go after you die, and how to get there.
The question of where you will go after you die is a crucial one. This is about your eternal destiny. Definitely not something you can ignore. Nothing else matters if you get this wrong. So, the purpose of this study is for the believers to re-evaluate what they believe regarding their salvation, and the source of those beliefs; and also for the unbelievers to know what to believe and why.
THE QUESTION:
- According to John 5:26-29 (referenced below), there are only two places you can go after you die: heaven or hell. If you die today, where will you go? If you think heaven, how do you intend to get there?
There is Afterlife, Even If You Don’t Believe
Does everything really come to an end when a person dies? Many don’t believe that life continues after death. In fact, there are many religious sects today that would tell you that when you are dead, that’s the end. Maybe you’re currently among those who believe or even teach it to others; I’m here to tell you that it is dead wrong! Man is made in three parts: body, soul, and spirit. The Bible says:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7.
Now, the condition of your soul and your spirit depends upon whether you’re saved or not. If you’re saved, your spirit is alive in Christ, if not, it is dead in your sins.
When a person dies, only the body dies. The body goes to the grave, but where does your soul go? There are only two options: up to heaven to be with Christ, or down to hell awaiting final judgment and the sentencing of God.
Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, told this story of one rich man and a poor man, Lazarus. I will strongly recommend that you carefully read and think about the story. That is not a mere parable as many suppose, rather it is the true afterlife experience of these two people. After they both died, their bodies were buried, but their souls lived on. Surprised? One in a very good place, enjoying everlasting life, but the other in a very bad place, a place of torment for those who turns away the Savior of the world. Do you think Jesus Christ made up this story? He did not!
Still not convinced about life after death? The following passages might further help your unbelief:
Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
John 5:26-29 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Not only do these passages establish the fact that there is life after death, they also make it quite clear that you could end up in good place in the presence of God, or in a place of torment and gnashing of teeth. Also, notice that everyone who has been dead from the beginning of time, rich or poor, small or great, will one day stand in judgment before God.
This shows beyond the shadow of the doubt that life does not end when a person dies. Only the body dies, the soul is the real you and it is that part of you that lives on. If you show up at this judgment, how would you perform? Have you ever thought about it?
If you don’t believe in the existence of heaven and hell now, you will believe in less than 5 minutes after you die. But that will be too late for you if you find yourself going the downward direction. If you’re reading this now, it means that you still have a chance. You do not have to go through the regrets of those who refused to believe. So please read on.
If by chance you’re now convinced that life continues after death, and that there are only two options as to where you can go, have you decided where you want be? How do you suppose you will get there? Many people have chosen or preferred to go to heaven (and not hell), but not all of them are sure about how to get there. What do you believe regarding this?
The Broad Way that Many Are Following
Many religious organizations and even some cults will give you their own versions of the way to heaven. If you follow any other way than Christ, you will be led straight to hell. There is no other way to God or heaven apart from Christ. Let me now share with you some of the things that many people believe will help them make it to heaven, and we will find out what the Bible says about them.
If you follow any other way than Christ, you will be led straight to hell.
1. Being Religious
Jesus Christ gave a very scary warning regarding this question in:
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You should notice many religious people in the above passage. They looked and sounded very spiritual and commanded respect in their circles. Many of them were even able to do miracles and cast out demons. They did a lot of things that could be beneficial to many people. These people called the name of Jesus, even prayed in His name. They went to Church regularly, and would often have good testimonies of miracles to share. Many of them supported their Church with their time, talent, and treasures. They gave to their leaders and helped many people. So, what went wrong?
They missed something! Something very important, more important than anything else in life. Genuine salvation! Christ says not all religious people will make heaven, except “he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. What is this will of the Father that we have to do in order to make it there?
The Disciples of Christ asked Him this question as well:
John 6:28 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?”
He answered them this way in the next verse:
John 6:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
Many people have come up with various works that they believe are required in order to be saved. But God has one thing in mind, and it’s not works, religion or self-righteousness.
In John 3, we read about Nicodemus’s visit to Jesus in the night. Nicodemus was an expert of the Law and one of the most religious people in Israel. Even though he started by trying to flatter Jesus Christ, he was actually wanting when it comes to the knowledge of salvation, or how to get to heaven. The response of Jesus Christ in verse 3 clearly shows that Jesus knew exactly why he came. This is what Jesus says this ruler of the Jew:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
Nicodemus, with his response to this statement, grossly misunderstood the point that Jesus was making. Jesus had to elaborate on the point in verse 5:
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” John 3:5.
If you want to learn more about Nicodemus interaction with Jesus Christ during this visit, please see my article: The Gospel of Salvation. Later on I will cover in detail what it means to be born again – which by the way is your passport to heaven.
2. Doing Good Works
There are many people who believe in the afterlife. They strongly believe in the existence of heaven and hell. Many of them belong to one religious sect or the other. They would even tell you that they want to go heaven. But how? By doing as much good as they can, that’s their way.
The problem with that is not doing good in itself, it is the fact that there is no amount of good you can do to earn your eternity with God. There is only ONE WAY provided by God and if you miss that WAY, you miss everything! I encourage you to read on if you would like to find out the WAY.
Many good works are being preached today for salvation in many gatherings of the believers: love one another, help the poor, forgive one others, go to Church, give offerings, sow seeds to the life of your Pastor, no breakfast on Sundays, and on and on.
It is true that doing good is good. No one wants to be relative, friend, or neighbor to an evil person. Keeping the commandment is also a good thing to do. After all, the Bible commands it. But in themselves, these things would not grant you access to God or to Heaven.
The salvation that offered by God can only be received by faith alone. Doing good and keeping the commandments only work for those who are already saved. You don’t do good works in order to earn relationship with God, you do good work because you already have relation with Him.
There is only ONE WAY provided by God and if you miss that WAY, you miss everything!
The salvation that God offers can only be received by faith alone. Doing good and keeping the commandments only work for those who are already saved.
Consider the following passages:
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The Law and the commandments were not given so that if you follow or keep them, you could be saved. Rather they were given that we might see how incomplete we’re without Christ and how impossible it is to be righteous before God based upon your own obedience to the commandments. The kind of righteousness demanded by God cannot be attained by following the Law.
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Galatians 3:21.
Anything you can accomplish on your own, be it through your religious activities – prayers, fasting, Church attendance, self-discipline, giving to the poor and the needy, mode of dressing, not eating breakfast on Sunday, or whatsoever it might be, cannot make you righteous before God. The Bible says
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6.
Compare that to this:
Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
The Right Way to Heaven
If none of the above would earn you righteousness, how then do you become righteous before God you ask? Salvation is what qualifies us for heaven. And the Bible is clear that it is not by works.
False doctrines have made some people think that even though they believe in Jesus, they still have to do a few things to ‘maintain’ or ‘keep’ their salvation. Such people also believe that if they don’t keep doing those things, they will lose their salvation. This means you’re trusting in both Jesus Christ and your works, this is also a rejection of Christ, not better than those clearly say they don’t need Jesus. Just for the record, I’m for good works, they are just not meant to make or keep us saved.
Salvation begins by you accepting who you’re – a condemned sinner on his/her way to hell. This is why you need to have your sins washed away. No unforgiven sinner will see the Kingdom of God or have a part in God’s inheritance. As long as your sins remain unforgiven, you will remain an enemy of God and the wrath of God will be on you (John 3:36).
This is why you have to follow the WAY provided by God through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. It is through HIM alone that you can get the truth that will lead you to the way of life.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
For more on the Bible way to heaven, please see The Gospel of Salvation.
Know Who You Really Are – A Wretched Sinner
You said but I’m not a sinner, I’m a good person! Don’t be deceived. Since the sin of Adam and Even in the Garden, mankind inherited sin. In addition to that, we have also committed sins that have put us on the highway to hell. If you’re reading this now and don’t think or believe you’re a sinner, I want you to think again. Consider the following passages from the Holy Scriptures:
Romans 3:12: They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Galatians 3:22: But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Until you admit your sinfulness, there will be no redemption for you. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was made for the whole world. But only those who believe they are sinners and run to the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus Christ will be washed and redeemed. Jesus died only for sinners, and if you don’t think you’re one of them, then you’ve already set yourself aside for eternal condemnation.
Realize that You Cannot Save Yourself
You’re not capable of saving yourself or paying for your own sin.
Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Jesus paid for the sins of the whole word on the cross. This is the only sacrifice accepted by God as sufficient. Anything done outside of this is an exercise in futility. A sinner has nothing to give and cannot do anything to redeem him/herself. So you must recognize that there is only one Savior (Jesus Christ Acts 4:12) and run to Him for salvation.
The righteousness that God demands can only come from Christ. So we have to seek His perfect righteousness which is by faith. No matter how much you try, you cannot save yourself by your own efforts or accomplishment.
Philippians 3:9 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.“
You cannot make yourself better. Our fallen nature does not need improvement or fixing, it needs to be completely reborn from above. This is something you cannot do for yourself, only the Holy Spirit can do it for you, but not until you run to Christ through faith in His shed blood.
You have to be made righteous by something completely outside of you:
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Come to the Cross and Be Washed
In Romans 6:23, the Bible says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God hates sins with perfected hatred, and will punish all the unsaved offenders. He will not lower His standards of righteousness but at the same not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Somebody, or you, have to pay the penalty of your sins. Sadly, the only way you could pay for your own sins is to die and go to hell where you will burn in an unquenchable fire for all eternity. But here’s the good news, you do not have to go through that because someone has already fully paid the penalty of your sins.
Somebody, or you, have to pay the penalty of your sins.
Consider the following passages:
Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:10-11 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So, how do you benefit from the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God?
Come to the cross and be washed in the Blood—
Ephesians 1:7: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”.
Jesus Christ fully paid the penalty of our sins with His own blood. God demands that blood be shed before sins can be forgiven. Hebrews 9:22 says there will be no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood.
So whose blood will it take, yours or Christ’s? It all depends on the choice you make now! The following section will show you exactly how to believe or trust in Christ and get born again today.
Just Believe and Live!
Salvation through Christ is a free gift and can only be received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) in the completed work of Jesus Christ. All you need to do is believe in the gospel. The gospel says that Christ died for your sin, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
You need to admit that you’re a sinner, repent from your sins (that is, change of heart), and believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ the Son of God died on the cross to pay the penalty of your sins, and that He rose again for your justification. Confess to God in prayer your need for Jesus, and ask God to help you live your life for Him.
This is all that God requires. That’s all it takes to be justified before God. That’s all it takes to be saved. And that is what it means to be born again. (You can contact me directly if you need to talk to someone about this).
Salvation through Christ is a free gift and can only be received by faith alone in the completed work of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24-26: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
You Have A Choice to Make Now
Would you reject Jesus today? This may be your last chance! “…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. Or would you believe and trust Jesus Christ with your life? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:36.
If you believe today, I congratulate you! You are now born again, you stand fully justified before God.—John 3:36; 5:24; Romans 5:8-9; Acts 13:39. You have just established a new relationship with God. Your sins are now forgiven and you have been granted the free gift of eternal life. You no longer need to be afraid of the afterlife because you’re assured in the word of God that eternal life has been reserved for those who believe.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life – John 3:36.
Now That You’re Truly Saved
Now think again about the questions with which we began. You have seen why you needed to be saved and what it takes to be saved. Also, you have believed in the completed work of Jesus Christ confirmed by the Scriptures. This gives you your assurance of salvation. That assurance is based upon the Word of God. If God says something, you can bank on it.
Consider the following passages and you will see that there is no such thing as being saved and not knowing it or not being sure of it. God wants you to be saved and know it. He wants “to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins” Luke 1:77.
1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
The Hope of Eternal Life
With the assurance of salvation comes the assurance that you will go to heaven when you die. Many claim to be saved but are still not sure about their eternity. Part of the problem is that too many so-called saved people believe in the works-based salvation. Therefore, they are trying everyday to do as much good works as possible, many would even pray for God to count them worthy for heaven. This approach will take you nowhere!
God wants you to be saved and know it.
As already pointed, salvation cannot be by works or by your own righteousness. It can only be by the righteousness of Christ, and that’s what you received when you believed.
As such, the only reason you’re going to heaven is because when you believed, your sins were washed in the Blood of Jesus Christ and the righteousness of Christ was imputed to you. This is what qualified you for heaven and nothing else.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me – John 14:6.
The only way anyone will get to heaven is to go through Christ. You cannot add any of your good works or self-righteousness to the completed work of Jesus Christ.
Salvation cannot be by works or by your own righteousness. It can only be by the righteousness of Christ, and that’s what you received when you believed.
Free Brochure
In addition to the above details, I have provided a quick guide to this question. This is a very useful tool for evangelism. You can forward it to people, download, print and share as much as you want. Download The Most Important Question.
