Great question! Here is the answer: We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love Him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor, or against ourselves. As the first letter of St John states, "He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. " To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from Him forever by your own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God is called "hell".

So I encourage myself, and you, and all to choose life now and for eternity! Jesus Christ is the way. Be well, amigo