Is everyone forgiven?
The simple answer is that God’s forgiveness is available to anyone who will receive it; so, in that sense the answer is “yes.” Every single person who has ever lived has sinned but not everyone has availed themselves of God’s offer of forgiveness, so, in that sense the answer is “no.” The stumbling block for everyone who rejects God offer is the same; it is pride.
God is totally holy and totally righteous and because of this no sin can come into his presence. Practically speaking this would mean that no one can be made right with God. While most people are “good people” no one is perfectly good and has never sinned. This is why he, God, who is perfect and without sin, came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to become a perfect and acceptable sacrifice for our sin. When we accept Jesus as saviour God no longer “sees” our sin, instead He sees us through the righteousness of Jesus, who is perfect and without sin.
What about really bad people like mass murderers?
It surprises many that individuals who were once extremely evil people will be invited into Heaven while some supposedly ‘good people’ will not. Ted Bundy, Son of Sam and Jeffrey Dahmer were all serial killers and yet, by the grace of God, received Jesus’ gift of life and His atoning sacrifice. If their confessions of faith in Jesus Christ are genuine, Ted Bundy (executed) and Jeffrey Dahmer (murdered in prison) are already in the presence of God and Son of Sam (serving a life sentence) will be on his way to Heaven one day in the future.
The Bible teaches that all have sinned and are in need of God’s forgiveness; this includes people that the world describes as good. But, the world is not the Judge – God is. Even Mother Theresa had to accept the forgiveness that comes through Jesus’ sacrifice. The Bible teaches that God will reject even the “best of the best” if they do not turn to Him for forgiveness.
The ultimate deathbed confession:
One never knows when their life on earth will end, it could be before this day has ended, but as long as one has breath, they have the opportunity to turn to Jesus. Two convicted criminals were executed at the same time as Jesus; there were two different responses. One died in his sin – the other joined Jesus in paradise that very day. No second chances to turn their lives around, no good works to “earn” their salvation. Just a simple acknowledgment and acceptance of who the thief was before God, and who Christ was, was all it took for the one, but this was rejected by the other. Read the whole narrative in Luke 23:26-43.
See also:Is rejecting God a sin?
2 comments have been left.
willie longchap left comment on April 16, 2015 at 3:17 pm
God always forgives according to you people (Bible believers)
I guess God forgave Hitler responsible for killing over 50 millions
In the eyes of the Law … you are not forgiven….Period
BSBS Response:Willie, not so.
There are lots of people who believe the Bible but are not Christian/saved/forgiven.
The Bible teaches that there is a distinction between being forgiven in this life and eternal forgiveness.
Eternal forgiveness comes from placing one’s faith in Jesus. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved.” Romans 10-9.
Forgiveness in this life comes from confession of our [daily] sins to God. Jesus taught, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15.
It is very unlikely that Hitler ever made a confession of Christ and therefore would not be forgiven by God.
Interestingly though, Son of Sam [David Berkowitz], Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer were all mass murderers. Son of Sam continues to serve a life sentence in prison, Ted Bundy was executed [electrocution] and Jeffrey Dammer was stabbed to death in prison by another inmate. All three committed their lives to Christ, Son of Sam did so in prison, Bundy and Dahmer before their deaths. Like the penitent thief on the cross their ultimate destination is eternity in Heaven with God. That, Willie, is what makes the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, so amazing!
The BIG question for you to answer Willie is, have YOU had YOUR sins forgiven? Do you know if your ultimate destination is going to be Heaven or Hell. There is only one way to be certain.
Taylor left comment on April 20, 2010 at 8:24 pm
What about those who have never had the opportunity to hear the word of God?
If every single person has sinned, but the only mode of forgiveness is by availing oneself to God’s love, what happens to the poor souls in Third World countries that live and die without ever hearing of God’s love? Does God condemn those who don’t receive his forgiveness via Jesus Christ, simply because they happened to be born and raised in the wrong place?
BSBS Comment: This is a meaningful and often asked question. Although the Bible is not specific on this subject one can draw inferences from the nature and character of God. One of the key points made throughout Scripture is that God looks at the heart – He knows if your heart is ‘inclined towards Him’. The Apostle Peter wrote, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 If we start off with the premise that God is ‘not wanting anyone to perish’, then we can be assured He will do everything within his power to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to turn their hearts toward Him (the word repent simply means to turn around and go in the opposite direction; that is towards God).
God’s heart his most often seen through personal testimonies. Several years ago a testimony was shared in the magazine published by the Billy Graham Association, it told of the story of two nuns who were wandering along a remote path in the woods somewhere in China. As they walked along they passed a very old Chinese gentleman. As they passed they exchanged pleasantries. As they continued on the two nuns were prompted by the Holy Spirit to go back and talk with the man they had just passed. As they spoke to the man they shared the story of Jesus with him. The man’s response was, “I always knew He existed – I just didn’t know his name!” If God can meet this solitary individual in the middle of China, He can meet anyone anywhere. God is omnipotent!
For most people the issue of the heart is pride. This is why ALL other religions focus on ‘doing good works’ to gain God’s favour. Their attitude tends to be, “God, I’m a good person, you have to let me in.” The prophet Isaiah said, “…righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Pride becomes their downfall. God is a God of grace, he seeks those who are humble in heart and are predisposed to love Him. God says that salvation is free! It can’t be earned anyhow or anyway – simply received.
It is safe to say that ‘no one who is supposed to end up in Heaven will be missing, and, no one who is not supposed to be there will be present.’
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