Will a Person be Able to Spiritually “Progress” After They Die? Finally, the Answer to that Question, and YES… it will Surprise You (KJV)

November 22, 2025 | www.EndTimesWatch.blog | River Wilde

Many wonder if the struggles and limitations we face in life — whether emotional, mental, or spiritual — continue after death. For example, what if we are unable to love unconditionally in this life? Will we carry that weakness into eternity, or will be able to learn this principle from God, and “progress” in our spiritual development after we die? The Bible provides clear answers to these questions.

According to Scripture, earth is the place of decision and character formation. Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) states, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” This verse shows that our character and spiritual condition are established during our earthly life. After death, judgment follows, and our condition is fixed.

Jesus illustrated this truth in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In Luke 16:19–31 (KJV), both men die. The rich man suffers in torment, while Lazarus rests in comfort. Abraham tells the rich man, “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26 KJV). The gulf is fixed, showing that no post-mortem character development or repentance occurs.

Yet what about those with limited mental understanding or emotional capacity on earth? Scripture reassures us that God judges each person according to the light they have received. Luke 12:48 (KJV) explains, “To whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

By principle, those given little understanding are held to a proportionate standard. Infants, children, and those unable to comprehend spiritual truth are considered innocent before God, as David expressed concerning his deceased child: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23 KJV). But hold on for a moment…There is more to this principle. Let’s learn… Prepare for an answer that might shock you. It is again the simplicity of the gospel.

For believers, the Bible makes it clear that perfection comes instantly at death. 1 John 3:2 (KJV) promises, “…when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” When our bodies become resurrected, “changed,” we become “perfect” in every sense of the word. Our “Physical Bodies” as well as our Characteristics, Perfect like Christ. We do not “progress” into a perfect state; it is instantaneous.

This transformation is not a gradual post-death learning process, but an immediate change. Likewise, 1 Corinthians 15:52–53 (KJV) explains, “…the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption…” Our earthly weaknesses, including limited capacity to love unconditionally, are replaced with perfect, glorified nature in Christ.

Revelation 21:4 (KJV) reinforces this: “…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Any imperfections, struggles, or brokenness of this life are gone.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) reassures believers that God completes His work: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Our eternal perfection is a gift from God, not earned or developed after death.

Scripture teaches that no post-mortem character development occurs. This life is the time for choice, growth, and repentance. But for those in Christ, every limitation and imperfection of earthly life is removed at death. Those who could not love fully on earth will love perfectly in eternity, because their corruptible nature is replaced with Christ-like perfection.

Our hope is secure: God is just, merciful, and faithful, and in Him, all who belong to Him are made complete.

So, will we all be the SAME after we die?

All believers in Christ will be saved, yet they will not all receive the same rewards or responsibilities in eternity. The Scriptures teach that, while every child of God is perfected in righteousness through Christ, the distinctions of faithfulness and works remain. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the “spirits of just men made perfect,” showing that upon death, believers are fully complete in Christ. Any limitations in understanding, love, or holiness experienced on earth are fully resolved.

Even though character is perfected, God still assigns varying rewards based on how faithfully each believer lived. (Remember the Judgment Seat of Christ, and the rewarding Crowns of Glory?) Paul writes, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest… If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). Similarly, Jesus teaches that faithfulness in small things on earth leads to greater responsibility in eternity: “Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). Are you seeing this answer unfold?

Thus, in heaven, all believers reflect the glory of Christ, and all are made perfect in righteousness. Yet, the degrees of reward, authority, and honor vary according to earthly faithfulness and works. Salvation is assured for all who trust in Christ, but the eternal blessings each one enjoys are proportional to the life of faithfulness and devotion they lived while on earth.

After Death, our weaknesses will be changed to the strengths of Christ. This is exhilarating news! However, we will NOT all be the same. Believers in Christ will all receive the same Salvation, and will live with God and Christ FOREVER, yet all there will have varying crowns, and “assignments” based upon their accomplishments demonstrated while here upon the earth. These truths are ringing loudly to me right now! Are they to you as well?

I invite you to continue studying this important gospel principle. Can you see the freeing feeling that comes from the TRUTH? The atonement removes any reason for us to be judged based upon our sins, for we have been made clean.

So why even put forth any effort to demonstrate the Christlike attributes after we have been saved? NOW YOU KNOW. Our Rewards will be contingent upon the good that we have done on this earth.

So, what are you waiting for? Get down on your knees right now and ask how you can serve God. It will certainly be worth the effort that you put forth.