Answer
Not going to hell is easier than you think. Some people believe they have to obey the Ten Commandments for their entire lives to not go to hell. Some people believe they must observe certain rites and rituals to avoid hell. Some people believe there is no way to know for sure—no guaranteed way to keep someone from going to hell. None of these views are correct. The Bible is clear on how a person can avoid going to hell after death.
The Bible describes hell as a terrifying and horrible place. Hell is described as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44–49), and “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Revelation 20:10 describes hell as a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever.” Obviously, hell is a place we should avoid. No one should want to go to hell.
Why does hell even exist, and why does God send some people there? The Bible says that God “prepared” hell for the devil and the fallen angels after they rebelled against Him (Matthew 25:41). Those who refuse God’s offer of forgiveness will suffer the same eternal destiny of the devil and the fallen angels.
All sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and since God is infinitely holy and infinitely worthy of obedience, crimes committed against Him warrant an infinite penalty. Hell is the place where God’s holy and righteous demands of justice are carried out. Hell is where God condemns sin and all those who reject Him. The Bible says that we have all sinned against God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10–23). As sinners, we all deserve to go to hell.
So, how can we not go to hell? Since only an infinite penalty is sufficient, an infinite price must be paid. God Himself arranged for that price to be paid. God became a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). In Jesus Christ, God lived among us, taught us, and healed us—but those things were not His ultimate mission. God became a human being so that He could die for us. Jesus, God in human form, died on the cross. As God, His sinless, holy death was infinite in value, paying the full price for our sin (1 John 2:2). Jesus’ resurrection on the third day proves the worth of His sacrifice.
God now invites us to receive Jesus as Savior, trusting His death as the full payment for our sins. God promises that anyone who believes in Jesus (John 3:16), trusting Him alone as the Savior (John 14:6), will be saved. That is, the one who has faith in Christ will not go to hell.
God does not want anyone to go to hell (2 Peter 3:9). That is why God made the ultimate, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice on our behalf. If you want to not go to hell, receive Jesus as your Savior. It is as simple as that. Tell God that you recognize that you are a sinner and that you deserve to go to hell. Declare to God that you are trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Thank God for providing for your salvation and deliverance from hell. Simple faith—trusting in Jesus Christ as the Savior—is how you can avoid going to hell!
Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the “I have received Christ today” button below.
If you have any questions, please use the question form on our Bible Questions Answered page.
