​Anonymous asks: I always hear people say that all one must do is ask for forgiveness and they are forgiven for their sins. Does this mean a rapist/murderer/etc. Can someone simply just ask for forgiveness and be alright in the eyes of God? This is something I have always wondered.

Hi and thanks for the question. First, the Bible is clear that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Therefore, everyone needs forgiveness.

Also, when speaking of sin, the Bible also communicates that "after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:15). In example, someone who entertains the idea of stealing candy from a store, acts upon it, and as this sinful potential grows, later in life, it can lead to bank robbery, which can lead to a shoot out with police. It's the progression of sin that typically leads to rape, murder, and all other evil things.

However, when it comes to forgiveness, it is imperative to understand the difference between true repentance and a meaningless sorry (as Jeremiah 17:10 says that God searches "the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

True repentance is not just an apology. Repentance in the Bible means: the act of changing one’s mind. Repentance in the Bible involves an irreversible change of mind, heart, and actions. Repentance recognizes that our sin is offensive to God, and as such, we choose to not continue in such path (Psalm 119:128, Job 42:5–6, 2 Corinthians 7:10).

Furthermore, forgiveness was provided to all humanity by Jesus Christ on the cross. While forgiveness was provided for all, not everyone accepts it. This forgiveness is something only attainable by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16). This is where separation happens; Those who accept Jesus as Savior, will ultimately want to live life in a way that is pleasing to God (as explained in Galatians 5:19-24).

In other words, when people choose to accept Jesus as Savior, they are adopted as God's children. (John 3:16, Ephesians 1:5-6, Romans 8,29). This Father/Son relationship, is what allows forgiveness. Just as a father continuously disciplines his children with love, until they are able to become upstanding citizens; so too does our heavily father continuously disciplines us with love until we make it to eternal life with him.

In turn, someone who doesn't want to accept Jesus as Savior, really has no need for God's forgiveness. Since morality of right and wrong was given to us by God, it is up to each individuals to follow or not follow God's commands.

In essence, someone who chooses to follow God, would find importance in seeking God's approval and forgiveness, while those who refuse to follow God, have no need to seek God's approval and forgiveness.

Lastly, while God would definitely forgive a rapist or murder who truly repented and turned to him, the consequences of their actions would still be over their heads in this life (a life sentence, or the electric chair for example). It is also important to understand that while sin is sin; according to the Bible, some sins are are greater than others, and as such, they carry different degrees of punishment (please read our previous question "Will there be degrees of punishment in hell").

Hope this helps to clear things up.

Comments:

Obi Meza: So you all don't think God would forgive someone who doesn't receive him as Savior?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: It would be pointless. The Bible continuously compares the relationship of God and those who accept him, as a father/children relationship. If you and your best friend went to a party, and he had his father's permission, and you didn't, and you got caught; your apology would be towards your father, and your father's forgiveness would be towards you. It would make no sense for you to apologize to your friends father, and expect your friends father to forgive you in place of your actual father.

Obi Meza: wouldn't that be playing favorites?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Absolutely not. Luke 5:32 says that God has "not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” But if the sinner chooses to keep in his own path away from the creator, God will not force him to do so. God made humans with free-will rather than pre-programmed robots.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.