THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT - Does God Forgive Serious Sins

MERCY is one of God's foremost qualities.  (Psalm 86:15) How extensive is his mercy?  A psalmist wrote: "If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand?  For there is the true forgiveness with you, in order you may be feared."  (Psalm 130:3, 4)  Another passage reads:  "As far off  as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far from us he has put our transgression. As a father shows mercy to his sons.  Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him.  For he himself knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust." -Psalm 103:12-14.

Clearly, Jehovah's mercy is complete and unstinting, and it takes into account our limitations and imperfections-that we are "dust."  Consider some Bible example that reveal the extent of God's mercy.  

The apostle Peter denied Christ three times.  (Mark 14:66-72)  While an unbeliever, the apostle Paul persecuted Christ's followers.  When certain ones of these were to be executed, Paul voted against them.  He even approved of the murder of one of them.  (Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1, 2, 11; 26:10, 11; Galatians 1:13)  Before becoming Christians, certain members of the congregation in Corinth  had been drunkards, extortioners, and thieves.  ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Yet, all these came to enjoy divine favor.  Why did God forgive them?  

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT - Does God Forgive Serious Sins?/Three Steps to Gaining God's Mercy

From the Awake! magazine