Don Stewart :: Can God Forgive Anybody?

Can God Forgive Anybody?

God and Us – Question 12

Many people assume that God could never forgive them because their lives have been too corrupt. They do not believe God would have anything to do with them. They see themselves as people who are beyond hope.

Yet the Bible teaches that no matter how bad anyone has been, forgiveness is still possible. No one will be denied access to God because they have lived sinful lives.

Indeed, the Bible says that God sent Jesus Christ into our world to seek out and save sinners. Jesus Himself said,

“...for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13b KJV).

A number of observations need to be made about this important topic of forgiveness.

1. All Who Come to Him Can Be Forgiven

The Bible says that when a person comes humbly to God for forgiveness He has promised to forgive them no matter what they have done. The Lord Jesus made the following promise.

“However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” (John 6:37 NLT)

No one will be rejected because of the sins they have committed. No matter how terrible anyone has been, forgiveness is available. This is the great news of the gospel! Forgiveness is available for everyone who asks for it.

2. Forgiveness Comes from the Righteousness of Jesus Christ

The Bible says that forgiveness is based upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the following to the church at Corinth.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)

Since Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, we do not have to suffer for them ourselves. He has suffered in our place. No condemnation awaits those who have trusted Him.

3. God’s Forgiveness Is Complete: He Holds Nothing against Us

The good news is that the forgiveness that the God of the Bible grants is complete. The psalmist put it this way.

...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12 NIV)

Our sins have been once and for all removed from us.

The prophet Micah gave this illustration as to what happens to our sins; they are buried in the sea. He wrote,

You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19 NIV)

Forgiveness, according to Scripture, is complete. Indeed, ours sins have been forgiven and forgotten.

Conclusion: Anyone Who Comes to God Can Have Complete Forgiveness of Their Sins through Jesus Christ

Once a person asks God for forgiveness, their sins are both forgiven and forgotten. God will never hold them against us. They are forgotten in the sense that God does not hold it against them.

This is the good news of the gospel. Since God will not hold them against us, we should never hold them against ourselves.

Summary – Question 12
Can God Forgive Anybody?

There are people who want their sins forgiven but do not believe God can forgive them. Indeed, they think they have acted in such a way that they are beyond God’s forgiveness.

However, such is not the case. God has promised to forgive anybody who comes to Him by faith. This includes anybody and everybody. There are no exceptions to this. This is the good news of the gospel.

Scripture says that God’s forgiveness is based upon the righteousness that is found in Jesus Christ. It is not our own righteousness. We are forgiven because of what He has done on our behalf on the cross of Calvary. He died so that we can be forgiven.

The forgiveness He offers is complete. He will not hold any of our sins against us. In fact, the Bible says that those who have trusted Him have their sins buried in the depths of the ocean. It also says that they are as far apart as the East is from the West. This is certainly wonderful news!