God Is Not All-Forgiving

There are some people whose sins God does not forgive. Wrote Paul: "If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is certain fearful expectation of [condemnatory] judgment." (Hebrews 10:26, 27) The words "practice sin willfully" suggest deeply ingrained badness, a truly wicked heart.

Judas Iscariot developed such a heart. "It would have been finer for him if that man had not been born," said Jesus. (Matthew 26:24, 25)And concerning certain religious leaders of his day, Jesus said: " You are father the Devil . . . When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie." (John 8:44) Like Satan, those men were bad to the core. They were not sorry for what they had done but became even more hardened in their wicked ways. True, because of imperfection and weakness, even genuine Christians sin, sometimes seriously. But their failings do not reflect an entrenched evil disposition. - Galatians 6:1.

Next time: Merciful To The Last

Awake! 2008