There are people in today’s world that actually believe they cannot be saved. I’ve had friends and acquaintances say, “But you have no idea what I’ve done.” They forget God sees our every move, knows our every thought, and yet He stands ready to forgive us. They seem to believe that even the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse them from all unrighteousness. If that were true, then the Bible is false, and all our trust and hope in God is useless. (all emphasis mine)
Take a look at 1 John 1:5-7; “This is the message we have heard from Him, and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness [ways of the world], we lie, and do not practice the truth. But, if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Two more passages, Psalm 51:1-2: “Have mercy on me, O God, [calling out for forgiveness], according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” And then Jeremiah 33:8: “I will cleanse them from all guilt of their sin against Me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against Me.”
For a true believer, God knows we are weak, and will commit sin as long as we are on this earth in human form. We have called out to Jesus to be our Savior, and repent of all our sins (Romans 10:9-13). Once forgiven, those sins are as far as east is from west (Psalm 103:12). However, when we do sin again, God has provided 1 John 1:9 for us; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Please note, I said “when” not “if” we sin. All will sin and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).
This does not give us the freedom to continue in habitual sin, nor does it free us from being disciplined. Proverbs 3:12; Psalm 94:12; Psalm 118:18; and, of course, Hebrews 12:6 all speak of being disciplined. The Hebrews verse says, “For the Lord disciplines the one(s) He loves, and chastises every son/daughter whom He receives.” He does this out of love in an attempt to teach us to avoid further sin.
More and more today, people worldwide are turning away from anything that pertains to Christianity and Jesus. Yes, there are still those who seek the Lord, and ask forgiveness and to be enlightened through His word. God will turn no one away who truly seeks Jesus as their Savior. He knows what is happening around us, and is preparing the world for the coming antichrist and false prophet.
All who reject Jesus, and prefer the ways of the world, will be allowed to choose their leader – Satan. In fact, after all true believers are removed in the Rapture, God will send a strong delusion to all who refuse to love the Truth (Jesus), so they will believe what is false. They will have condemned themselves for pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
The unforgiveable sin is to take your last breath on this earth without having received and accepted the gift Jesus gave us at Calvary. This was not just for one group of people (Jews), but for all who would call on Him for their Salvation (John 10:16; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9-13). Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is to deny the Truth, which is to deny Jesus as God’s Son, and the only way to the Father.
John 14:6: “Jesus said, I am the Way; the Truth; and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Satan’s followers will tell you there’s many ways to Heaven without Jesus. False religions provide other gods to worship rather than our Lord God Jehovah, creator of the heavens and the earth. In 1 John 2-5, the apostle tells about false prophets and antichrists that were present even in his day. Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and others told us their activity would increase in the “last days.” That is the time just before the Rapture, and the beginning of the Tribulation/Wrath. For the first time in our history, all the signs are present at the same time, and evil is increasing rapidly. The stage is being set for the appearance of the ultimate antichrist.
For those who doubt that God will forgive them, He has a long history of divine forgiveness; that is displayed in His word. David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), sinned in a very awful way. Not only did he commit adultery with Bathsheba, but also had Uriah, her husband, killed. God forgave David, but his discipline was to suffer disorder in his own household and the loss of a baby from the adulterous affair. One thing God looks for is a repentant heart. In Psalm 51:4, David had been confronted by the prophet Nathan, and afterwards accepted his blame. The verse says; “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what was evil in Your sight.”
Peter denied the Lord three times; Paul was a persecutor of members of the “Way” (Christians), yet both were forgiven and became instrumental in spreading the Gospel throughout the known world. Also, James and Jude were brothers of Jesus who didn’t believe in His divinity until after the resurrection. James became a leader of the Church at Jerusalem, and Jude wrote a significant book which is just before Revelation in the Bible.
We were all given talents, but not all the same ones, or to the same degree. I could never be a wonderful orator such as Billy Graham, but what the Lord has provided, I try to use on His behalf. God only asks that we do what we can with what He gave us. One is not more important in His eyes as another. He is no respecter of persons, and Loves each of us the same. He even allows all of us to make our own choice. If He forced His will on us, it would not be true love.
It’s only too late after your last breath on this earth. The thief on the cross is evidence of this (Luke 23:42-43).
Therefore, if you believe you have sinned so terribly that Jesus won’t forgive you, you are the first person in all of history that His blood would not cleanse. It takes confession, repentance and turning away from habitual sin; have faith and believe His death, burial and resurrection covered all who will accept Him. If you truly call on Him, He will be your Shepherd and add you to His flock. John 10 discusses this in detail.
God cannot lie, and always keeps His promises. If you refuse to accept the Savior, God promises your eternity will be in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The alternative is altogether much more pleasant – eternity with Jesus and all the saints who were faithful. There are no other options. As Joshua 24:15 says, Me and my household will worship the Lord. (paraphrased)
To wait another day could be an eternal mistake. It’s not too early to call on the Lord, as it’s not too early for His return. Call now; He is waiting to receive you and prepare a place for you in Heaven with Him (John 14:1-3).
Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!