It’s a difficult truth to swallow, but it’s one that’s necessary for all of us to face. Just because someone goes to church every Sunday, serves on committees, or even calls themselves a Christian, doesn’t mean they’re truly saved. In fact, many who think they’re secure in their faith might actually be headed for eternal separation from God.
This might sound harsh, but it’s not my words—it’s what Jesus Himself said. And the reason this is so important is because we can’t afford to be wrong about our salvation. It’s the most important thing in our lives, and if we miss the mark, the consequences are eternal.
1. Going to Church Doesn’t Make You a Christian
There’s a big difference between attending church and being the Church. Going to church is a good thing—it’s where we worship, learn, and grow—but it’s not the ticket to heaven. If you think that just because you’ve been a regular churchgoer for years, that’s enough, then you’re missing the point.
In Matthew 7:21, Jesus makes it crystal clear:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Going to church is like showing up to a party—it doesn’t mean you’re part of the family. Just sitting in the pew doesn’t change your heart, and it definitely doesn’t guarantee you a place in heaven.
2. Being “Good” Won’t Save You
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’m a good person,” and expected that to be enough, you’re not alone. Many people believe that if they live a moral life and don’t commit any “big” sins, they’ll be okay when they stand before God. But that’s not the way it works.
The Bible tells us that no one is truly good on their own (Romans 3:23). Not one of us. Sin isn’t just about breaking the big commandments like murder or stealing—it’s about living in rebellion against God in any form. Every lie, every selfish thought, every moment we choose our way over God’s is a sin. We may not realize it, but those small things add up.
The truth is, you can’t be “good enough” to earn heaven. Salvation is not a reward for good behavior—it’s a gift. It’s through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. You Have to Personally Know Jesus
Here’s where things get really real. Knowing about Jesus is different from knowing Jesus. I can know about a celebrity—where they were born, their favorite color, or what movies they’ve been in—but that doesn’t mean I have a personal relationship with them.
Jesus doesn’t want your religion. He doesn’t want you to simply know about Him. He wants you to know Him deeply. And knowing Him isn’t about going through religious motions. It’s about surrendering your life to Him, acknowledging that you need His forgiveness, and following Him with all your heart.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
This is non-negotiable. You can’t get to heaven through good works, your family’s faith, or just being a churchgoer. You have to personally know Jesus and accept Him as your Savior and Lord.
4. You Can’t Live in Sin and Be Saved
This is a tough one for many people to accept. We live in a world where sin is downplayed and everyone is told, “It’s okay to live however you want, as long as you’re a good person.” But the Bible doesn’t leave room for that kind of thinking. The truth is, living in continuous, unrepentant sin shows that your heart isn’t fully surrendered to Jesus.
In 1 John 3:6-9, it says, “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.”
This doesn’t mean Christians won’t ever sin—because we will. But it means that we can’t keep living in deliberate, ongoing sin without it affecting our relationship with God. If you’re living in a way that’s clearly opposed to God’s Word and you’re not even trying to change, you’re in serious spiritual danger.
Repentance isn’t just saying “sorry” for your sins—it’s turning away from them. It’s a complete 180-degree shift in how you live. If you truly know Jesus, your life will begin to reflect Him.
5. Religion Without a Relationship is Dead
One of the biggest dangers facing churchgoers today is the temptation to fall into “religion” without ever having a true relationship with Jesus. It’s easy to slip into the routine of church attendance, Bible reading, or volunteering, thinking that those things alone will save us. But the truth is, we can do all those things and still miss the point entirely.
Jesus isn’t interested in religion. He wants a relationship. He wants to transform your heart, not just your actions. In Matthew 15:8, He says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
It’s not enough to go through the motions of being a Christian. If your heart isn’t aligned with Christ, all the religious activity in the world won’t save you.
Conclusion
It’s easy to believe that simply attending church, being a “good person,” or following religious routines will get us to heaven. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. Many churchgoers will still go to hell because they never truly repented, never fully surrendered to Jesus, or never formed a true relationship with Him.
Salvation isn’t about what you do—it’s about who you know, and how that relationship transforms your life. Jesus is the only way to the Father, and if you don’t know Him personally, if you’re still living in sin without repentance, or if you’re relying on your own goodness to save you, then you’re missing the mark.
It’s time to stop going through the motions. It’s time to examine your heart honestly. Are you truly saved, or are you just going through the religious motions, hoping it’s enough? Only you can answer that.
If you haven’t given your life fully to Jesus—if you haven’t experienced the radical transformation that comes with a true relationship with Him—today is the day to make that change. Don’t wait. Your eternity depends on it.