Question about what actions cause you to deserve hell...?

Question

I have previously asked about eternal punishment, and some of the answers made me think of this:

Christians (some) believe that only belief in Jesus and sincere repentance of sins can keep you from hell. So what if there is a truly devout Christian person who leads a good life, believes in Jesus, confesses and sincerely asks for forgiveness any time they sin (which is rarely); but then commits a pretty serious sin. Let's say they commit adultry in a moment of weakness. And as they drive home, they feel guilty, but don't get a chance to ask for forgiveness before being struck by a car and dying. Are they going to hell? They never had a chance to remove this final blight on their souls before they did, did they?

Or let's change it. Maybe they only commited a minor sin. Maybe they stubbed their toe and then yelled "God**** it!"... then died of a heart attack. They never even had the chance to feel guilty. Are they going to hell? What is the cutoff line for serious sins?

To billcompugeek:

No offense man, but when all you do is cut and paste the same resonse to every question... no one takes you seriously.

to sparkle1:
If God reads hearts, what's the point of asking for forgiveness? If you think we DO have to actually ask, then I'd be happy to have you address the scenarios I presented above.

I'm seeing quite a range of answers here. From "yes they will be in hell", to "no, all you need is to be more good than bad."

I have a feeling that all the responses can be backed up by biblical principles.... and that's why I have a problem with the religion. It's proponents will tell you all day long how it is the TRUTH and the only right way... yet they are so divided on even major themes that it's hard to believe that anyone can take it seriously.

Answer 1

i am currently taking note of all the reasons i am going to hell and its getting very long lol

i am a spiritualist
i haven't taken Jesus as my saviour
i listen to rock music
i speak with spirit
i have tattoos and piercings
i didn't marry in a church
i had children out of wedlock
i could go on I'm sure Ive missed many ...

but being a wonderful person , who does charity work , and spends nights on the PC listening and helping people who are grieving , being a great mother and wife , doesn't drink or take drugs , never stolen anything , gives money to charity , again i could go on .. but this isn't enough to get me out of hell lol

Answer 2

God doesn't look at the actions to judge whether or not a person is in sin, but of the heart. Sure we all sin (Romans 3:23) but repentance starts way before we actually consciously mutter the prayer for forgiveness because it begins in the heart first.

Let's take a look at Romans 10:9,10: This verse explains the relationship between the heart and the mouth (or in more layman's terms "the will and action"). We are not saved merely by having good intentions (James 2:17) nor are we saved solely by doing good deeds. Faith is the combination of both these things and it is not faith if you lack one of those things.

BUT no one can define specifically just how God judges each individual because every circumstance and every individual's heart is different. No one can tell you with 100% certainty whether or not the people in your scenarios will go to heaven or not because we cannot see their hearts...only their actions. we only have half the picture.

Answer 3

Look. There are thousands of religions out there, and you can't honestly believe that any one of them has it 100% right, can you?

Do you really believe in a God that would send you to hell because you didn't have a chance to get to confession even though you were already sorry for what you've done? If you're sorry in your heart, isn't that enough?

And, for the toe-stubbing question - basically the same thing. If you've lived a good life and tried to be the best person you can, do you really think that eternal damnation is the result of a last-minute swearing?

I believe that it all balances out. If you basically lead a good life, how can you not have a higher reward? I refuse to believe in any God that would punish people severely for minor offenses or even major ones if you are truly sorry and have changed your ways.

Answer 4

What if it's a sin to believe in sin? Didn't God command that we should not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? What is the knowledge of good and evil but the belief in sin.

Also, didn't Jesus say, "Judge not lest ye be judged"? Doesn't that mean love others and yourself rather than believe in sin?

Doesn't thinking that everyone is a sinner cancel out your love of humanity and delegate that responsibility to Jesus? Is that what Jesus said to do?

Answer 5

For one thing, I don't know of too many devout Christians (I don't know any, actually) who would commit adultery.

If they're doing something like that, knowing how sinful it is, then obviously they probably weren't too devout in the first place.

I realize your question was hypothetical -- but nevertheless, it's really a moot point because truly devout Christians don't behave that way.

As for yelling "god****it" after stubbing a toe -- that's not a sin. Taking the Lord's name in vain is a deliberate act -- but blurting out "god****it" after stubbing a toe or something is not.

Answer 6

Hell is the common grave of mankind. Jesus was without sin and went there for parts of 3 days. You are obviously under the impression that God cannot read hearts and that he does not act justly concerning a person's past deeds. That is just wrong.

Answer 7

You know, I'm no Bible scholar and I can only tell you what I believe through reading God's word and learning from those I feel have a strong, sincere faith in God! First of all, it's important to know that only God really knows who is and isn't going to Heaven! I, for instance, believe that it's very possible that Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Christ and then hung himself) is in Heaven. There are those who don't agree! The important thing is that it does say in God's word that He judges us by our hearts! I believe God is merciful and He does not want anyone to go to hell but He doesn't force anyone to believe in Him or His word! So, in my opinion, to answer your question, I believe that it is totally possible that that person, making those mistakes, could end up in Heaven! Only God knows that for sure! But I believe my God to be a loving and merciful (and not so stuffy as some would have you believe) Father!

Answer 8

the cutoff line is what jesus did on the cross. we as humans do not make the work of Christ on the cross effective. He paid the penalty for the sins of many people on the cross. "it is finished" are the words of Jesus. If he paid the penalty for the sin, whethere it is adultery or something else, then the wrath of God is removed from that person who believes and trusts in God. we are commaned to confess our sins to one another and to God and to ask for forgiveness but this is not the final call in what happens to our soul. If jesus atoned for it on the cross, then it is atoned for. period.

Answer 9

If you have believed that Christ death saved you and His resurection gave you new life you are saved and no amount of future sin can take that work of God away . But a Christian who does sin will not be happy feel closeto God untill he agrees with God that he has done wrong .

Answer 10

Revelation 21:8, " But the cowardly, unbelieving, abomible, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Mark 3:28, "assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatsoever blasphemies they may utter, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation."