Q:
My aunt died recently, and I guess you'd say she was a woman of strong faith, because she really believed she was going to Heaven when she died. But how could she be so sure? Maybe she was just deceiving herself.
A:
No, your aunt wasn’t deceiving herself—not if her faith and trust were in Jesus Christ for her eternal salvation. Then she could say with the Apostle Paul, “I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
You see, you and I were not meant for this life alone. We were meant for eternity—and that’s why death is not the end. Instead, we will live on—either with God in the joy and peace of Heaven, or separated from God and utterly without hope in the place the Bible calls Hell. Tragically, however, we don’t deserve to go to Heaven, because we have sinned and turned our backs on God. Why should we want to be with Him in eternity, when we don’t want anything to do with Him now?
But God loves us, and more than anything else in all creation He yearns for us to be with Him forever. And He has made this possible by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. By His death on the cross He took upon Himself the judgment we deserve, and by His resurrection He has opened the door to eternal life.
Be thankful for your aunt’s faith—a faith that sustained her even as death approached. But most of all, may her faith become yours, as you give your life to Christ and trust Him alone for your salvation.