Heaven & Hell Series, Part 6: How to Choose Heaven over Hell

Heaven & Hell Series, Part 6: How to Choose Heaven over Hell

There is so much to say on the topics of heaven and hell that this series could easily go on for another month.  I had even originally planned on writing one or two more posts after this one that were more "technical" and "theological" but after praying for several days, I have decided to make this post the conclusion of this series. In my humble opinion, I feel this is the most important information in matters of heaven and hell.  Terrifying reports of hell and beautiful heavenly descriptions beyond measure are all fascinating and get people to really think about where they want to spend eternity.  But if all one does is think they would love to go to heaven as casually as they would love to visit the castles in Germany, then what good is that information in reference to your soul?  What we really need to understand is how to choose heaven over hell.  

This writing is not based on my arrogant or self-righteous opinions but taken directly from Jesus himself and from other godly men who wrote the inspired Word of God.  I pray you carefully read all these scriptures and let them seep into your soul. 

Let me just start by saying, yes, I believe salvation through Jesus Christ is a free gift we do not have to earn.  But we still have rules to follow if we want to keep this precious gift and not lose it.  Being a Christian is so much more than just being a kind person, it is becoming a new creation in Christ, which means giving up sin and choosing paths of righteousness.

You may believe that we do not need to follow the ten commandments because we are no longer under the old laws.  However, the facts are this: Jesus Christ abolished manmade laws when He died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins, but this does not mean we quit following the laws of God.  Jesus Christ said it Himself. (You can read more about the new covenant here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-parallel-between-new-covenant-and.html )

(Matthew 19:16-21) And, behold, one came and said unto Him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" And [Jesus] said unto him, ".. if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments... Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself... give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

No, we cannot earn our salvation through our good works, but we will absolutely be judged according to our works and that's what this series has been all about.  Waking people up that there are indeed consequences to all of our actions that are in opposition to what the Bible teaches.

Satan wants you to believe that the rules are not there to rob you of joy, but Jesus says following Him brings us true freedom.  (John 10:10 - The thief [Satan] cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.) The rules protect us from hurting ourselves and others.  Jesus loves us and wants us all in heaven with Him.  He longs for all of us to obey His rules not because we want to live in paradise, but because forever would not be paradise without Jesus.  Not because we want a mansion and a crown, but because we want to lay our crown at the nail-scarred feet Jesus. The sacrifice of God and Jesus should be enough for us to want to be with Him. (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.)  His love, mercy, grace, patience, protection, and holiness should be enough for us to want to do the right things. (Romans 2:4 - The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.) 

Jesus said in Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."  But if you think you have fallen too far from grace and the works you will be judged for can never be forgiven, think again! 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that "The Lord... is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  And 1 John 1:9 promises us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us just how gracious God is when it says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Once you truly claim Jesus as your Savior, and repent of your sins, the sins you repent of will be under the blood of Jesus and will be remembered no more.  Psalm 103:11-12 says, "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." 

After we accept the free gift of salvation, we cannot then just do whatever we want and stay saved. The Bible tells us we must daily choose to crucify our flesh and not sin (Luke 9:23 - Jesus said, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.")  The Bible also makes it very clear that we are not to abuse the grace of God (Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?) because, yes, we can lose our salvation if we chose to live in rebellion against the Lord.

Whether for the first time, second, or more time, it is never too late to turn your life over to Jesus and choose heaven over hell. (You can read my writings on the hope for the backslider here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/09/what-bribes-have-we-taken-to-crucify.html & https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/hosea-141-9-hope-for-backslider.html & https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/ezekiel-1823-33-when-righteous-turn.html .

I know this has been a lot to read, so I will leave you with just a few more verses that help you better understand how to make the choice of heaven over hell.  Again, these are not my theories, but from God's Holy Word.

(2 Corinthians 5:10-11 & 15-17) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

(Revelation 20:11-12 & 21:7-8) 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. 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Galatians 5:16-26) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.