“The Shot Of A Lifetime”

Friday, September 29, 2017

I know this sounds crazy, but when I was little, I would bet on a lot of stuff (like "I'll do ten jumping jacks if I miss this basketball shot.").  But sometimes, I would say things like, "I'll go to hell if I miss this shot"… and stuff like that.  I know it was years ago, but I can't stop wondering if I am going to hell because of what I said.  And I was saved at the time, so am I?  I can't stop thinking that because I bet my life that I am and should be going to hell.  I've asked God to forgive me, but will I still go to hell?  Please help.

Sincerely,
Youthful Regrets

Dear Youthful Regrets,

Saying that you will go to hell for missing a basketball shot won’t guarantee your eternal destiny any more than saying, “I’ll go to heaven if I make this shot.”  We aren’t the final judge of our eternal home – Christ is (2 Tim 4:1).  If you have done what Christ teaches you must do to be saved, you will go to heaven (read “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” for specifics on the steps of salvation), and if you turn away from Christ, you will be lost (Acts 4:12).  Everyone deserves to go to hell because of their sins (Rom 6:23), but Christ offers to save us if we love and obey Him (Jhn 14:15).  What you did in the past doesn’t matter; what you do now is what counts (2 Cor 6:1-2).

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