Questions About Death
What is death? Why do we die?
In death, the soul and spirit leave the body, and all life within the body ceases. We die because our first father, Adam, sinned. And the penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
Origin of Death
God warned Adam that if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die (Gen. 2:16–17).
We all have a sin nature, inherited from Adam through our fathers, and so we all die.
The Remedy
Our sin nature is inherited from our fathers. Jesus, the Son of God was born of a virgin who became pregnant through the Holy Spirit of God. Since God is the Father of Jesus, He inherited the perfect, sinless nature of God.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins and satisfy God’s justice (2 Cor 5:21, 1 John 2:2) because He was fully God and fully human. His resurrection from the dead showed that God accepted His sacrifice.
Death Conquered
At the Resurrection, Jesus conquered death once and for all (John 11:25, 1 Cor. 15:20–23, Rev. 1:18).
A person who dies to self and lives a new life in Jesus Christ (symbolized by baptism) doesn’t truly die. Immediately at bodily death, that person’s soul and spirit enters God’s presence (John 11:25, 2 Cor. 5:8, 2 Cor. 7:10).
It’s Your Choice
People who accept the free give of salvation through Jesus Christ will live eternally in heaven.
Those who refuse God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ will suffer eternal separation from God. They will have to pay the penalty for their own sins (John 3:36.)
Is there life after death?
Yes, there is life after death. When you die, your soul and spirit will go either to heaven or to hell. The Bible says all are destined to die once and then face God’s judgment (Heb. 9:27).
It’s a fearful thing to fall under God’s judgment. We have all sinned against the holy God and deserve His punishment.
God’s Terrible Judgment
To see an example of the horror of sin and its consequences, look at the cruel torture and death Jesus suffered.
Especially consider the most heart-wrenching, unbearable pain of all – separation from God the Father for the first time in eternity.
God will judge all sin one of two ways. Either the sinner will pay the debt, or Jesus will pay the debt.
God’s Mercy
God provided a way for us to avoid eternal punishment. By sending Jesus, His Son, God took our punishment onto Himself.
When Jesus became sin for us, the sins of the whole world were heaped on Him. He paid the price for your sin and mine so we wouldn’t have to.
Repent and Believe
But there’s a catch. You have to believe in Him. You have to repent of sin. You have to have faith that Jesus’ death was enough.
Nothing you do can pay for your sin. Only Jesus can. And He has.
Without Jesus, you will experience eternal misery (Matt. 10:28, Mark 9:45, John 14:6). With Him, you will have unspeakable, glorious joy forever (1 Pet. 1:8).
What will happen when I die?
You can have salvation and forgiveness of sins as a free gift from God. You can know God through His Son, Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Salvation comes with both benefits and responsibilities.
Some Benefits of Salvation through Jesus
- God views you through the righteousness of His Son, Jesus.
- He chooses not to remember your sins.
- You are sealed with the Holy Spirit for eternal life.
- The Holy Spirit lives inside you and guides you into all truth.
- He comforts and sustains you.
- God will never leave you or forsake you.
- He gives you peace you can’t understand.
- He gives you joy so deep no sorrow can quench it.
Some Responsibilities after You’re Saved
- Believe what He says.
- Depend on Him.
- Get to know Him through His Word, the Bible.
- Stay involved with other believers.
- Share the good news of Jesus Christ.
- When you fail, confess and turn away from your sin.
- Trust His forgiveness and go on in His strength.
How can I go to heaven?
Your life after death will depend on the choices you make now. If you want to have eternal life with God in heaven:
- Repent of your sin. That means you agree the bad things you’ve done were your own fault. Also, you’re truly sorry for offending God. With God’s help, you are determined to turn away from evil.
- Accept the free gift of forgiveness and salvation God offers you through Jesus.
- Live your life for Him. Get to know Him by reading His love letter to you, which is the Bible. Obey Him. When you fail to live up to His standards, tell Him you’re sorry and start again.
Then your life after death will be glorious (1 Cor. 2:9).
Questions About God
Is there really a God?
What is God like?
Does God really care about my problems?
Questions About Life’s Meaning
Where did I come from?
Why am I here?
Questions About Evil
Why is there evil in the world?
If God is good, why do bad things happen?
How Can Evil Be Fixed?