A common misconception for Christians is that we will not be judged as the unbelievers. In truth, there is still a judgement that Christians must endure. Every single one of us will be judged according to our works.
This can be problematic. Many people who bear the name "Christian" are confident about this judgement. "I'm a good person", they say. Whether they are of a works-based denomination, which preaches that our works must accompany our faith for salvation, or of a liberal persuasion that effectively teaches God will let you into Heaven as long as you're not Hitler, there are many so-called Christians who think they are good enough for Heaven.
But the Bible makes it quite clear that if you ask Jesus to judge you by your works, He will. And no, you are definitely not good enough to get into Heaven. Or did you forget that God is so opposed to sin that the only way He was able to forgive us was through the shedding of Jesus' blood? Jesus died precisely because your works are not good enough. You want to return to a works based system that obviously did not work? Those who boast of some of the greatest works, even casting out demons, may still be cast into Hell (Matthew 7:21-23), because even our righteousness is a filthy mess (Isaiah 64:6).
But let's say your faith is true. You're not relying on your works, you have confessed Jesus as Lord, you have believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are covered from head to toe in His grace on judgement day. You will get into the Kingdom. But what will your experience be like? This, too, can be altered by your life here on earth.
To me, the scariest passage in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. This, too, speaks of the judgement of believers. We have been judged, and have been found faithful, but our works remain to be judged. And so Paul compares this to a building. Jesus is the foundation, and what we have done on earth is represented by whatever we build on top of it. We can build with many materials. Straw, wood, silver, precious stones, these are the works we have done. And then the fire comes, destroying that which was not good, but that which is good remains. Paul's conclusion? "If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
He will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Imagine your house burns down. That's a pretty big earthly loss. You survive the fire, but with nothing more than the shirt on your back. Your reward is your life. Paul effectively says this is your eternal destiny should you live an unprofitable Christian life. There are many rewards in Heaven that you could have. But you can lose them, too. Like a game show that destroys the loser's prizes right in front of them, the Lord will show you what He would have given you, but for whatever reason, you deserved to lose it, and so He will burn it.
And so you must consider your own eternity. What could it be like? First, be sure you are saved, because Hell is still an option. If your faith is placed more in yourself than in Christ Jesus, and Him crucified, you will never see Life. But once you are sure you are truly of the faith, saved by grace and not by works, do not imagine your journey ends there. It is possible to be barely saved, and it is possible to store up Heavenly treasures. Be wise. Be faithful. Be Godly.