How can I not go to hell?

TL;DR:

You can not go to hell by trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. This salvation is not just about avoiding hell but about finding life, both now and for eternity, found in a restored relationship with God.

what does the bible say?

Salvation and escape from hell have always depended on trusting God’s promises rather than our own efforts, as seen in Abraham’s faith in the Old Testament. While the Law and sacrificial system revealed human sinfulness and our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, these pointed forward to Christ’s ultimate atoning death. The only way to be reconciled to God and to be forgiven of our sins is through faith in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our sins. Believing in Jesus as Lord and receiving Him into our lives guarantees eternal life and restores our relationship with God. This salvation is a gift, and it provides life both now and for eternity. The critical question is not just how to avoid going to hell, but whether we accept Jesus now and live in the fullness of life He offers.

from the old testament

Even before Christ, people were saved through trusting God’s promises. Abraham is the classic example: “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). His faith, not his works, made him right with God. Though the Old Testament does not talk about hell the same way the New Testament does, it does address punishment for the wicked. Avoiding this punishment has always depended on trusting in God and His promises and looking forward to His provision for salvation, not relying on our own righteousness.
The Law given through Moses (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 6) revealed God’s holiness and our inability to perfectly keep His commands. No one could earn life by following the Law alone. Obedience was meant to show dependence on God, not self-sufficiency.
Sacrifices in the Old Testament (Leviticus 17:11) foreshadowed Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. They pointed to God’s provision for atonement, showing that reconciliation with Him comes through His initiative, not human effort.

from the new testament

Scripture is clear that upon death, every person will either spend eternity in heaven with the Lord or spend eternity in hell apart from Him (Luke 16:19-31). Therefore, it is critical to determine now how to avoid hell and spend forever with God.
The Bible also makes clear that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). This sin separates us from God. Because God is perfect, we cannot exist in His presence in heaven unless our sins are removed. In fact, Romans 6:23 teaches, "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The answer to human sin and its resulting separation from God is found only in Jesus Christ. He offers eternal life as a free gift to all people. John 3:16 explains, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
The Bible teaches how we can believe in Jesus and have eternal life instead of eternity in hell. Romans 10:9 shares, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Here we find that we must believe Jesus is Lord and that He came alive again after His death on the cross. When we do, we receive Him into our lives and become God’s children (John 1:12).

implications for today

God has told us how we can not go to hell, and we can know for certain where we will spend our eternal destiny. The Bible teaches, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). When we believe in Jesus by faith as God's risen Son and Lord, we can trust God's promise that He will keep us with Him forever. Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:37-39).

God loves us so much and made the way for us to be saved and not go to hell. Romans 5:8 teaches, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This great love brought Jesus from heaven to earth to live, die, and return to life to provide the opportunity for us to have eternal life by believing in Him.

Even better, eternal life is something that starts while we're living on earth! Salvation is not just about avoiding hell; it's about having true life in Christ now (John 10:10).

No prayer will save you. Only Jesus can save you. However, to accept Jesus as your Savior and receive eternal life, you can respond to God with something similar to this:

"God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who lived a perfect life, died as a sacrifice for my sins, and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.

understand

Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to avoid hell.
Our eternal destiny depends on whether we trust in or reject Jesus.
God saves us not just so we can avoid hell, but so we can have life in Him both now and for eternity.

reflect

How have you personally responded to the knowledge that faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved from hell?
How do you understand the significance of salvation being not just as a get-out-of-hell pass?
How does knowing that salvation brings life both now and for eternity change the way you live?

engage

How does understanding that hell is the consequence of sin shape the urgency of sharing the gospel with others?
How do we see God’s character displayed in the life and salvation He has for us if we will trust in Him?
How does the reality of hell influence the way we share the gospel and interact with others who do not yet know Him?