Hello, I have a question.  If God forgives all, why do people go to hell?

Sincerely,
Firefighter

Dear Firefighter,

God is ready and willing to forgive all (Ps 86:5), but we must seek that forgiveness through Christ.  Christ paid the price, so all the world would have a way to escape hell (Jhn 3:16).  However, if we don’t take advantage of the gift that He gave, we will still be lost.  There is no sin so big that God won’t forgive it if we honestly seek Him… but we must seek Him (Heb 11:6).  We are saved by faith in Christ (Eph 2:8, Rom 10:17), but that means we must trust Christ.

Think of it like someone drowning in the ocean.  A lifeguard throws them a life preserver, but the drowning person must grab that life preserver in order to be saved.  Jesus’ death on the cross is our life preserver.  We must grab it; otherwise, we will be lost.

I have a few questions.  Is it possible to feel righteous (I am assuming, of course, that I once was), then regress in your life, and then return to righteousness?  Is it possible to feel spiritually complete but temporally drained?  How does one know when they are considered righteous in the eyes of the Most High?  Or are we supposed to not worry about that, but live as if the plateau is always getting higher, so we will not fall short?  My ultimate question would be: is it possible to sin against the Most High directly and be able to return to righteousness?  Or must the sin be atoned for before redemption?

Sincerely,
Backslider

Dear Backslider,

Once we obey God, we can fall way and lose our salvation, and many people feel righteous without actually being righteous.  We are warned about drifting away (Heb 2:1) and falling away from the Lord (1 Tim 4:1).  It is also important to remember that physical fatigue is not the same as spiritual failure (2 Cor 4:16)… righteousness isn’t about how we feel or what we want… it is about what God says.  Many people call upon the name of the Lord but don’t do what He says (Matt 7:21-24).  God makes us righteous through faith (Rom 4:5), and we gain faith through hearing and obeying the Bible (Rom 10:17).

There is time to repent and return to God if we have fallen away.  God is ready to forgive if we confess our sins (1 Jn 1:9).  Until the day of our death, there is still time to return to God (Heb 9:27) through obedience to His Word (Jhn 14:15).

I believe God will forgive every sin except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  I am confused though.  I know we are all sinners, but what if you commit sin after you accept Jesus as Savior?  I know a person that committed a vile sexual sin after she accepted Jesus as her Savior.  Is it possible to repent of that sin?  I believe she truly believes Jesus died for all sin, and He is the only path to salvation.

Sincerely,
Concerned Friend

Dear Concerned Friend,

All sin can be repented of and forgiven.  1 Jn 1:9 makes it clear that if we confess our sins, Jesus is ready to forgive us of all unrighteousness.  There is no single act that is so evil that Jesus’ blood couldn’t wash it away (1 Jn 1:7).  Many of the first century christians had many horrible sins in their pasts (1 Cor 6:9-11).  The key is to get up every time you fall down (Pr 24:16).

I started going to church at three years old, and I’m a christian (as far as I know), but my question is: how do christians live?  I came from dancing, drinking, etc., but now I am trying to live like a christian, but I don’t know how.

Sincerely,
Starting Fresh

Dear Starting Fresh,

Christianity is about living by faith and knowing that God will reward us for seeking Him (Heb 11:6).  Our first act of faith is to become a christian; since it sounds like you aren’t completely sure that you are one, we recommend you read our post “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”.

After becoming a christian, you must begin to grow and practice what the Bible says (1 Pet 2:2).  A large part of that growing process is becoming an active member in a faithful congregation that can teach and encourage you (Heb 10:24-25).  Not every church is doing what God says, and it is important that you search for a congregation that is faithfully preaching and teaching the Bible.  We have an article entitled “Finding A Church” that can help you search for a congregation.  We would also be happy to help you find a congregation in your area.  If you would like our help, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we will try to put you in contact with a congregation nearby.

I am a saved person and believe that Jesus died for my sins, and now I am saved and love my Lord.  I have been married to my husband for five years, and his children have treated me with hatred and contempt.  My husband is a christian, can lay on hands, and speak in tongues.  But instead of stopping their bad behavior, he lets them continue, and he says their behavior is my fault.  I do not smile or have joy, only if I’m in church.  My question is: can I commit suicide and still go to heaven?  Just can’t take much more days of crying and hurt.

Sincerely,
Not A Wicked Stepmother

Dear Not A Wicked Stepmother,

Suicide is murder, self-murder, and is therefore very clearly a sin (Rev 21:8).  The only difference between suicide and murdering someone else is that you don’t get a chance to repent after suicide.  Suicide is a final decision and leaves no room for correction or for asking forgiveness.  Therefore, in most cases, it would be fair to say that suicide will send you to hell.  It is a willful act of disobedience against God without opportunity for repentance.

The only reason we here at AYP hesitate to say, “All people who commit suicide go to hell,” is because God never specifically makes that statement.  The final judgment belongs to God (Heb 12:23), but we certainly wouldn’t want to face that judgment with our own blood on our hands.

There is always a way of escape from the temptation to sin (1 Cor 10:13).  There are other options, and there is help.  If you’d like someone in your area to help you through your struggle and the conflicting messages you are receiving, we would be happy find a faithful congregation in your area to help bring you comfort and truth.  Please don’t give up hope.

The Lord does provide relief through His Word (Acts 20:32).  From what you have said about speaking in tongues, laying on of hands, etc. – we fear that you may not be getting the full picture of what the Lord’s will is for His church and family (1 Tim 3:15).  We know of many preachers across the country ready and willing to help people like yourself come to a more complete understanding of the Lord’s ways.  E-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org if you would like a preacher from your area to contact you.

I was born in a Jewish home as an only child, and since I became a christian (baptism), my life has had such supernatural turmoil since I received Christ some twenty years ago – I am 45… I lived a life of lust and other various sin – soon, a “born-again christian” by the name of ‘Stormy’ witnessed Christ to me; I had an out-of-body experience and have since heard a few directives from angels, or God, seemingly directly.  “You are a priest” is one that sticks in my mind.  I currently do not live the life of a “priest”; I work and struggle to make sense of supporting myself.  I am really having a hard time making sense of who I should be in Christ.  I can’t escape what I have been shown; there is no doubt about a creator, but I just don’t know how to properly serve Him.  I read the Bible in short glossy sessions, but I still don’t see a clear direction.  I don’t know how to be a priest; I do know how to be scared and worried.  I am currently working after spending some fifteen years on the streets.  I kind of wish Jesus would have taken me away somewhere.  I just don’t know what I should be doing.  My life just seems to be a “wanting-to-die-get-it-over-with” kind of existence.  I feel lost again, but now knowing about hell.  A few opinions would help… prayers, too.

Sincerely,
Looking For Hope

Dear Looking For Hope,

It sounds like you have had a very tumultuous life and a very confusing religious journey.  Thankfully, the Bible has answers that will give you stability and peace.  Paul specifically says to ignore visions and the words of angels (Gal 1:8).  The Bible is all you need to find life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).  The truth can be found in the sum of God’s Word (Ps 119:160).  Put all your previous religious experiences aside and start reading the Bible in meaningful, studious sessions.  When we take the Bible as our guide and place all our trust in it – confusion goes away (1 Cor 14:33).  Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom 10:17).  We recommend that you read the posts “What Must I Do To Be Saved” and “Down With Denominationalism” to help clarify what God would have you do.  Both of those posts are full of verses and should give you an idea of where to start.

Furthermore, we would be happy to get you in touch with a faithful congregation in your area that could have Bible studies with you.  Having someone to teach you the gospel step-by-step can be immensely useful (Rom 10:14).  If you would like that, e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.