As a good Christian, how would you answer this question?

Question

A young Christian who's just graduated top in her college is out celebrating at a bar with her friends. She's at a phase in her life where she's questioning the existance of God and has publically stated she's having problems accepting Jesus as her personal savior. In other words, her faith isn't where it should be.

A drunk atheist punk shoots her in the head for no reason. She dead. He gets arrested and, while in jail awaiting the death penalty, sincerely adopts Christianity and firmly accepts Jesus as his personal savior.

Who's in hell, who's in heaven?

Answer 1

Christians don't like to answer this kinda question honestly. All of a sudden they stop judging.

Being an ex-christian I will answer it honestly:

The atheist goes to heaven, the doubting Christian MIGHT go to hell. I'll put it this way, the former atheist has a better chance.

Answer 2

Well, the only honest answer would be that only God would know. That may sound like a scape-goat way to dodge the question, but the reality is that He is the only one that knows what's truly in each persons heart.

Now from a logistical (human) standpoint, I'd have to say they both would be in Heaven. Taking all the details for face value, the graduate had already given herself to Christ and was merely going through a stage of doubt...who hasn't at some point, it's one of the Devils greatest tricks. Regardless, she had already been washed of all her sins and forgiven, at which point she'd be saved for eternity. The thing is, she never did give up faith in God, only doubted it for a time being. Now the attacker, giving himself to the Lord, would also be saved by the same mercy and grace that saved the victim. Again, that's assuming with face value that the attacker sincerely gave himself to the Lord. He's no different than the prisoner who hung on the cross next to Jesus when Jesus said "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43

Answer 3

Whoever has atoned for sins and is accepted by God. A college degree or doing a few good works will not impress God into letting you into heaven. You have to find redemption through Christ and sanctify your heart.

So I would go with the guy who killed her. Moses killed a guy, David killed thousands, Paul killed many Christians. These people did not go to hell, we believe. Everyone can turn their life around, everyone can find redemption if they want it.

Which would God have more sympathy with:

"God, look, I have a college degree! And I went to church several times a year. I know I didn't really think you existed and I did not dedicate myself to you, I had better things to do, but hey, I might as well want to go to heaven, huh?"

Or

"God. I do not deserve to go to heaven, I have done many shameful things in my life. But I believe in Jesus Christ, I have redeemed myself of my sins, and I have been pursuing righteousness and seeking you. I have cast away my wicked desires and strove to be the kind of person you would want me to be. If my attempt was not sufficient enough for you, so be it, but I believe your grace can make up for my insufficiencies, because only through you can I live.

Answer 4

I say that God knows the heart and it is for Him to decide. If she was sincerely searching for him, I don't believe that He would forsake her. If her killer later sincerely accepted Him, I believe God would save him too. The Bible tells us that God wishes none to perish but ALL to attain everlasting life. I believe that He pulls out all the stops for us because He loves us. Like any parent, whos child might not always do things the parents approve of, He never stops loving us. Consider Jesus' parable of the "Prodigal Son" in Luke chapter 15. It is the greatest description of God as Father known in Scripture.

Answer 5

i think the question you are stating is really asking is God fair?

The answer is a resounding Yes, and we have to base our answer based on what God says in His Word.

Anyone who is truly repentant and believes in Jesus is saved.

So the man who proclaims faith in Christ- if He is sincere, is not beyond God's saving.

In terms of those who believe in Christ and have fallen away, the Bible teaches that God looks at man's heart. So the sister who is struggling- only God really knows where her heart is. I've seen many people fall away from Christ and than return to Christ-- i would hope that she would be in Heaven- but it would really be between her and the Lord.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 6

I am a Christian and have no problem answering this question. If the girl has never accepted Christ, she is in hell- if she has accepted Christ but is not as close to Him as before, she is in heaven, because once saved always saved. The drunk atheist who shoots her- if he has truly accept Christ he will be in Heaven when he dies. Simple as that.

Answer 7

If I were a good Christian which I am not, since there is no such thing, I would answer, "judge not lest ye be judged"

Ecclesiastes 3
20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"

Answer 8

The girl was never a true Christian. Lots of people say they are Christians, but never have a true conversion experience. They think they are Christians because they join a church or feed the homeless or say hail Mary's or whatever. This is not what Christianity is about. When you have a true conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you and you don't change your mind later.

The girl is in hell, the murderer is in heaven.

Answer 9

Well, first of all I don't really believe in hell in a traditional sense...

Secondly - if the punk truly converted he will certainly partake of paradise.

The girl with wavering faith - just because she has certain doubts doesn't really mean she will go to hell either. God is the only judge of a person's heart.

Answer 10

God knows