Whether others choose to accept or reject our forgiveness, our calling is always to offer forgiveness freely—not just seven times, but seventy times seven.
Another beautifully written sermon, Peter. You never disappoint.
Yes, one of the main tasks of becoming a mature person is to learn how to love the sinner, but not the sin.
Peter, I am interested in your interpretation of a thorny theological point. We can find many passages that promise forgiveness from God if we repent. But what of the man who deliberately commits terrible evils all of his life, without repenting, and thinks he can just ask God for forgiveness on his deathbed? His intention is to get away with something, and there is no love in his heart. Some say he will be forgiven if there is even a crumb of true repentance as he lays dying. Others say God will not be fooled; you cannot use this as a life plan and expect to be forgiven. What do you think?
The key thing to remember is that God knows what is in a man's heart and will judge him accordingly.
Forgiveness hinges on honesty. Thus John teaches us in 1 John 1:8-10 that we must confess our sins and admit that we need to be forgiven. Psalm 32 carries a similar prescription.
In the particular scenario you lay out, two verses come to mind.
The first is Deuteronomy 6:16: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah."
The second is Matthew 12:31: "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."
God is not a magical force we summon at our will to do our bidding. Prayer is not a magical incantation to wield Godly powers. The person who thinks they can live a carnal life of the flesh and then say a few words of repentance at the very last to gain the Kingdom of Heaven is presuming to bend God to their will.
That's not repentance.
Does a person who lives a wicked life and has a moment of awakening as they prepare to shuffle off this mortal coil have genuine repentance and is thus saved? Only God knows the answer to that.
Which is why we should all choose wisely. If we get the choice wrong there is quite literally Hell to pay.
Ooh, really well answered, Peter! I agree: it’s what’s in your heart, and there is no pulling a fast one on God. True repentance will be answered with God’s love. But God cannot be scammed.
Interestingly, some people have told of near-death experiences and of their last-minute saving. One said she was dying in the hospital, and some demons (as she called them) tried to drag her to Hell, tearing her limb from limb. In terror and repentance, she called out to Jesus and to God, and she was saved. When she revived to life, she spoke of the infinite love she experienced, and of her true repentance and commitment to sin no more.
You would have made a great theological teacher, Peter - except, you are wise enough to know that only God knows the “details”, and the rest of us must just follow Jesus and walk with God.
Another beautifully written sermon, Peter. You never disappoint.
Yes, one of the main tasks of becoming a mature person is to learn how to love the sinner, but not the sin.
Peter, I am interested in your interpretation of a thorny theological point. We can find many passages that promise forgiveness from God if we repent. But what of the man who deliberately commits terrible evils all of his life, without repenting, and thinks he can just ask God for forgiveness on his deathbed? His intention is to get away with something, and there is no love in his heart. Some say he will be forgiven if there is even a crumb of true repentance as he lays dying. Others say God will not be fooled; you cannot use this as a life plan and expect to be forgiven. What do you think?
The key thing to remember is that God knows what is in a man's heart and will judge him accordingly.
Forgiveness hinges on honesty. Thus John teaches us in 1 John 1:8-10 that we must confess our sins and admit that we need to be forgiven. Psalm 32 carries a similar prescription.
In the particular scenario you lay out, two verses come to mind.
The first is Deuteronomy 6:16: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah."
The second is Matthew 12:31: "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."
God is not a magical force we summon at our will to do our bidding. Prayer is not a magical incantation to wield Godly powers. The person who thinks they can live a carnal life of the flesh and then say a few words of repentance at the very last to gain the Kingdom of Heaven is presuming to bend God to their will.
That's not repentance.
Does a person who lives a wicked life and has a moment of awakening as they prepare to shuffle off this mortal coil have genuine repentance and is thus saved? Only God knows the answer to that.
Which is why we should all choose wisely. If we get the choice wrong there is quite literally Hell to pay.
Ooh, really well answered, Peter! I agree: it’s what’s in your heart, and there is no pulling a fast one on God. True repentance will be answered with God’s love. But God cannot be scammed.
Interestingly, some people have told of near-death experiences and of their last-minute saving. One said she was dying in the hospital, and some demons (as she called them) tried to drag her to Hell, tearing her limb from limb. In terror and repentance, she called out to Jesus and to God, and she was saved. When she revived to life, she spoke of the infinite love she experienced, and of her true repentance and commitment to sin no more.
You would have made a great theological teacher, Peter - except, you are wise enough to know that only God knows the “details”, and the rest of us must just follow Jesus and walk with God.
I believe God has a plan for each of us, regardless of how we believe.
More than once I have been in a situation which by rights I should not have survived. Yet here I am.
Only God knows why. These days I just try not to fight Him about it.