THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT - Does God Forgive Serious Sins?

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 a certain fearful expectation of [condemnatory] judgment."  (Hebrews 10:26:27)  The words "practice sin willfully"  suggests 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 from your 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 and entrenched evil disposition. -Galatians 6:1. 

Merciful to the Last

It is not only the sin but also the attitude of the sinner that Jehovah  notes.  (Isaiah 1:16-19)  Reflect for a moment on the two evildoers impaled alongside Jesus.  Both had evidently committed serious crimes, for one of them men admitted:  "We are receiving in full what we deserve for the things we did; but this man [Jesus] did nothing out of the way."  The evildoer's words indicate that he knew something about Jesus.  And that knowledge likely contributed  to a wholesome change in his attitude.  This is indicated   by what he said next, this time imploring Jesus:  "Remember me when you get into your kingdom."  How did Christ respond to that heartfelt entreaty?  "Truly, I tell you today," he said,  "You will be with me in Paradise." -Luke 23:41-43. 

Think about that:  Jesus' final statements as ta human included an expression of mercy toward a man who had admitted to deserving the death penalty. How encouraging that is!  We can be sure, then, that both Jesus Christ and his Father, Jehovah, will show compassion toward all those who manifest true repentance, regardless of their past deeds. -Romans 4:7. 

Next time: Ancient Manuscripts How Are They Dated?

From the Awake! magazine