Every Christian knows from the Word that one’s own life awaits him after death; for it is there said in many passages that man will be judged and rewarded according to his deeds and works; and no one who thinks from good and from real truth can help seeing that he who lives well goes to heaven and that he who lives wickedly goes to hell.  But the evil man is unwilling to believe that his state after death is according to his life in the world; he thinks, especially when he is sick, that heaven is granted to everyone out of pure mercy, whatever his life may have been, and that this is done in accordance with his faith, which he separates from life.

471.  That man will be judged and rewarded according to his deeds and works is declared in many passages in the Word, some of which I will here quote: 

     The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with
     His angels and then He will render unto everyone according
     to his works (Matt. 16:27).

     Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the
     Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their
     works follow them (Apoc. 14:13).

     I will give to everyone according to his works (Apoc.
     2:23).

I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened and the dead were judged out of the things that were written in the books according to their works.  The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell gave up those that were in them, and they were judged everyone according to their works (Apoc. 20:12, 13).

     Behold I come, and My reward is with Me, to give to
     everyone according to his works (Apoc. 22:12).

Everyone that heareth My words and doeth them I will liken to a prudent man; but everyone that heareth My words and doeth them not is likened to a foolish man (Matt. 7:24, 26).

Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens; but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in the heavens.  Many will say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and through Thy name cast out demons, and in Thy name done many mighty works?  But then will I confess to them, I know you not:  depart from Me, ye workers of iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk before Thee; Thou hast taught in our streets.  But He will say, I tell you I know you not, ye workers of iniquity (Luke 13:25-27).

     I will recompense them according to their work and
     according to the doing of their hands (Jer. 25:14).

     Jehovah, whose eyes are open upon all the ways of men, to
     give to everyone according to his ways and according to
     the fruit of his works (Jer. 32:19).

     I will visit upon his ways and recompense to him his works
     (Hosea 4:9).