Will I go to heaven?

Question

I rarely go to church but I sincerly believe in God and I love Him and Jesus Christ. I try my hardest to follow the ways of Christ and when I dont I pray and ask for forgiveness. I dont confess at church but i do aks God for forgiveness in my prayers. I pray every night and thank God and Christ for all that they have given me and when I do forget to pray, I pray and ask for forgiveness for not praying. I am also baptised. I love God and Jesus Christ but I am afraid that since I dont go to Church i will go to hell. I do try to go to Church when I can.

Answer 1

I accepted Christ over 30 years ago and for more than half that time I didn't attend church. I did what you do...I prayed, asked forgiveness when I made mistakes, and I was baptised (not convinced that's a requirement but it couldn't hurt!).

Through all those years, I never questioned my salvation...but I did worry about whether I was serving God to the best of my ability.

In the past year, I started attending church again after about five years of non-attendance. ...and I finally realized something that God had been trying to teach me for many many years. We don't need to attend church for him...his own son didn't attend church...he worshipped where he was. However, Jesus also surrounded himself with other believers...with people eager to learn about and serve God. Church attendance is for YOU...it gives you the opportunity to learn more about God and to have fellowship with other people who believe the same things.

I can't begin to measure how much I've grown and how many positive changes I've been able to make since I made church attendance one of my top priorities. I now have a list of friends I can call or email when I have a problem and need advice or just a shoulder and a heartfelt prayer. I have people that challenge my thinking and help me grow in my faith.

Answer 2

Going to heaven really has very little to do with going to church, or the many rituals that our society puts out there as "Christianity". In order to go to heaven, the only requirement is that you've accepted Jesus as your Savior, and realize that He is the only way. Jesus was sent by God as a sacrifice to take away our sins so that we could have a relationship with God, which is what God ultimately desires with us. If in your prayers you have asked Jesus to come into your heart and accept that He is your Savior, then you will go to Heaven. After that, it is about you trying to build that relationship with God through quiet times (reading the Bible, praying, etc.), trying to understand what God is asking of you, and reaching out to those in need through ministries. No one can really know if you're going to Heaven except you, because you are the only one who knows whether you've made the decision to make Christ the head of your life.

As far as church goes, it is never a requirement, because God is caring, and does not want "robots", so He allows us to make all of our decisions. It is recommended that you go to church in order to help you grow, and to have a physical presence that can help you through tough times. Because even though God loves us more than we can ever imagine, we can't always feel Him, like hugs, and we don't always feel like we can hear Him talking to us. And that's what we need fellow Christians for. Our purpose is to help each other when needed, and to reach out to those who need our help.

I don't know where you live, but here in the Cincinnati, OH area, I would recommend The River Church. You can find more at Hittheriver.com. The website also gives tips on How To Know God, and has our sermons online. If you're interested in finding a church in your area, look it up online, or ask people you know. If you're uncomfortable going by yourself, maybe ask a friend that you're comfortable with. Not only does it help you meet a support system, it also can be a great outreach to others.

I hope this gives you some hope and a better understanding of what to think about.

Answer 3

God thinks its so great that you pray each day and ask for forgiveness! If you're Catholic, it is a mortal sin not to go to Church (except in emergencies). Catholics need to confess their sins to the priest, because Jesus guarantees you forgiveness of sins through that sacrament. It is also so very important to recieve the sacrament of Holy Communion after confesssion and w/out mortal sins in your conscience. This applies to Catholics. Just keep praying and trusting in God's mercy and try to Go to Church more inorder to deepne and increase your faith in Christ! God bless.

Answer 4

Jesus told us that if you loved Him you would obey His commands. Church is not a building, it the sum of His followers. The points of being around other believers is to edify one another and to encourage each other. You won't go to hell for not attending church, but what a waste of salvation to just sit at home and not grow in the Lord.

Answer 5

I know you are feeling guilty about not going to church. I do too when I get away from it. Just ask God to send you someplace that is so exciting you cannot stay away. It seems to take some of us longer to find a place to worship, others it seems to come easy and they just fit in where ever. Just stay close to Jesus, He knows your heart and your desire to serve Him.

Answer 6

I would say that you are saved.

Church is not your connection to God and heaven.The Love that he has for you and that you have for Him is the true connection. Church is just a reunion of those that fallow God,Jesus and His word.

Answer 7

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind...for more detailed info on where you would spend eternity, visit http://www.faceeternity.com

Answer 8

As long as you believe in him and give your life to him, and at least try to follow his ways, you'll be with him. And since you were baptized, thats basically calling you one of His. You are a child of God, and have the Holy seal on your forehead.

Answer 9

Yes.
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