Posts Tagged ‘forgiveness’
I found pornography on my fiance’s flash drives. What should I do?
Question: I found flash drives in my fiancé’s stuff: one had a hidden folder of photos of family, wallpapers, and a folder named “Girls” with half-naked pictures of women — both anime and movie star. Another flash drive had a New Folder with mixed pictures both half-naked anime photos plus photos of us. I confronted…
Read MoreIs it possible to have sinned so much that I won’t be saved?
Question: I am a baptized believer. I try my best to be obedient. I try to pick up my cross and follow Christ daily. I fail a lot! Is it possible to have sinned so much that I won’t be saved? Thanks. Answer: God isn’t looking for perfect people because there are none. He is…
Read MoreI was pressured into adultery and gave in. Can I be forgiven?
Question: I have a few questions. I am a Christian and committed adultery. Although there was an element of consent, this occurred in a high-pressure situation where there was intense coercion. My Christian therapist (psychologist) believes my past, with its complex trauma, and mental health condition has put me in a position where I was…
Read MoreDoes Jesus forgive all our sins: past, present, and future?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ, Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I went through your website and especially the questions and answers, I want to say that by God’s grace and His enabling you have done a good job. The answers to most of the questions are apt and scripture based. …
Read MoreHow much obedience does the Lord demand of me?
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I have a problem understanding the nature of obedience to God’s laws. I read and hear that obedience is required for salvation, but no man (besides Jesus) has obeyed perfectly, so please help me understand the nature of the obedience required to please God and enter His eternal abode. Is part of…
Read MoreI recently slept with a guy. Is there any hope for me?
Question: Hello Sir, I’ve sinned against God. I am gay. I slept with a guy just recently. Please, is there any hope for me to inherit God’s kingdom? I’m really confused. Please help me. Answer: The same passage that says that homosexuals cannot inherit the kingdom of God also says that fornicators, adulterers, and drunkards…
Read MoreDoes Jesus’ blood continually cleanse us from all sin?
Question: The Bible says we will give an account of our life and sin, but God washes away our sins at baptism and the blood of Christ continually cleanses. He forgives us and remembers no more, so is there judgment where our sin is remembered, or are we as white as snow because of Jesus’…
Read MoreIs baptism for the remission of future sins?
Question: When one is baptized into Christ by water baptism, is it for the remission of past sins only? Or is baptism for all sins (past, present, and future sins)? Answer: “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and…
Read MoreMuddy Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MuddyTimes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 40 I. Psalms 38-40 cover related themes on the problems caused by sin A. Sin is an overwhelming burden and they cause problems in life – Psalms 38:3-8 B. Sin can cause anxiety – Psalms 38:18 C. Even close friends and family tend to avoid you when you are in sin…
Read MoreDoes marriage bring forgiveness for fornication?
Question: I have read a number of things that you have written, and I find you to be very well-spoken, and you explain points very well in an understanding way. However, I’m still a little lost. I’m trying to find out if, when two people who have committed premarital sex are married, whether or not…
Read MoreHas God forgiven my friend who is living with a married man?
Question: Hello, I have a close relative who is in an illegal relationship. He was married, but he knew that the marriage was already broken. He was trying to fix the situation when he realized there was no more love in his heart for his wife. He then reunited with a long-time friend via social…
Read MoreCan I remove sin by myself?
Question: Hi, I want to know if I can remove the sin by myself or do I have to trust Jesus in order for this to work? Answer: When you sin, you put yourself into debt and into slavery. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that…
Read MoreJesus is not going to give our sins back to us once they are taken away
Question: Good works are not part of the Gospel (Ephesians 2:8-9), they’re not requirements for salvation, rather they’re the fruits of salvation. Paul calls the Philippians to work out their salvation in Philippians 2:12. However, this is not a call to do works in order to be saved, rather it is a call for them…
Read MoreCould you explain “continual cleansing?”
Question: Could you explain “continual cleansing?” Answer: Continual cleansing is the concept that Christians are Teflon-coated, so sins don’t stick them; instead, the blood of Christ continually cleanses them of all sins, even if they don’t ask for forgiveness. It is based on a misunderstanding of I John 1. “This is the message which we…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven for denying Christ?
Question: I’m currently 13 years old, but when I was 12. I would tell my grandmother “I don’t believe in God” deliberately because I wanted to make her angry, since I was angry. I didn’t know it was bad to say that. I actually regret it so much that I’m about to cry writing this.…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven of the sins that I committed after saying the sinner’s prayer?
Question: I got saved by saying a sinner’s prayers at 19. I spent most of my twenties high-handedly sinning and being agnostic or universalist – I believed all religions were partially true. I read the Bible and Quran occasionally for inspiration. Three years ago I started going to a Baptist church and had true faith…
Read MoreWhat is the penance for adultery?
Question: Hello, I would like to know what is the penance for adultery. If forgiveness is possible, does the “forgive and you shall be forgiven” apply? Answer: The idea that there are acts of penance done for sins is not taught in the Bible. It is merely a Roman Catholic tradition. See: Do we have to…
Read MoreBlasphemy Against the Holy Ghost
by Charles G. Caldwell, Jr. Via Truth Magazine XXI: 49, pp. 781-782, December 15, 1977 In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus said, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son…
Read MoreHow does a former drug dealer become a Christian?
Question: Hello Jeff, I had an awesome meeting with a guy who’s a little older than I am. He came to services on Sunday, and I talked briefly with him. He said that the class and sermon really spoke to him. We met tonight for dinner, and he revealed that he just quit his side…
Read MoreForgiveness (Feaster)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Forgiveness.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreI realize now that I can be forgiven, so how do I get past the guilt?
Question: I’ve obsessed for a long time about committing the unpardonable sin, as some have called it. I have struggled with some addictions for a while (alcohol and pornography), and a few times had the thought come into my mind: “if you give in to certain temptations, you will lose the Holy Spirit.” Well, I…
Read MoreYou May be Surprised to Learn …
by Doy Moyer Have you ever taken for granted certain things and believed them, just because that is what you have been told? Perhaps you find yourself in that situation now, believing and doing things because that is what you were told. Religious people sometimes believe and practice something because a preacher said it, or…
Read MoreI told my wife I forgave her for her cheating, but I really haven’t
Question: Hello Minister, I write this with the hope that you’ll be able to help me to unshackle this chain that I’ve been hauling for many years. I’m a very angry man, and I find it difficult to forgive and let it go. I used to be a very kind and loving person, which I’ll…
Read MoreGod doesn’t give up on me because I fell again, does He?
Question: Good Morning, I finally rededicated my life to the Lord. I was doing well. Then I felt strong enough to invite a friend over. Huge mistake! One thing led to another and we had sex. I feel awful. I don’t want to continue this or ever engage in this again. It’s to the point…
Read MoreHow do I return after committing fornication again?
Question: I wrote to you before regarding fornication and God’s forgiveness. I prayed and straightened my life back out — until about a month ago I stumbled again. I am writing to you for help. I’ve been praying for forgiveness and asking for the Lord’s help in overcoming this problem, but I didn’t know if…
Read MoreWhy continue to ask for forgiveness if Jesus died for all our sins?
Question: A friend and I found a small church to attend, but their pastor prays at the beginning of their service asking for forgiveness of their sins. This made me wonder: Jesus died on the cross for us and he put the past, present, and future sins on that cross with him, so all of…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven if I sin after I was baptized?
Question: I was baptized a few months ago, and I turned myself into the name of the Lord. Everything has been going well. I feel alive and well again. I’ve been talking to a very special girl (she is baptized as well). The other day I met up with her, and we ended up kissing,…
Read MoreI told God not to forgive me if I sinned again. I did anyway. Am I forgivable?
Question: The other day I was struggling with sin and I told God that if tomorrow I committed this sin and I want it to be unforgivable. I did this so I would think twice when I was tempted. In the end, I committed this sin, even though I told God not to forgive me…
Read MoreDo we carry the labels of our past sins with us our whole lives?
Question: I am having a conversation with an Independent Baptist, who claims that even after conversion, if we lie or cheat or steal, we are a liar, a cheater, a thief and we carry that label until we enter heaven. She says only in heaven is there no sin. Even if we are forgiven by…
Read MoreIs it ever too late to be forgiven?
Question: Is it too late to ever be forgiven and saved with Jesus Christ? I would love to move forward and let go, but sometimes I feel as if I’m too late because of my past. I feel like it’s just me saying this to myself and not what God says. I let my past…
Read MoreI was excommunicated because I had committed fornication several years ago
Question: Hi, I am a Christian and was baptized, but later I fornicated. I repented, it was about two years ago. We were having a discussion with a church elder since I was sick, and we believe that sickness is due to sin and that we should confess our sins and God will heal us.…
Read MoreWith all the sexual sins in the world, there must be a lot of people in hell
Question: Hello, I think there are many people who are sinners nowadays, since more and more people do not marry or are no longer virgins before marriage, and many people have sex with several people in their life. There are also more and more children born out of wedlock. Does this mean there are already…
Read MoreHow do I forgive someone who slapped me?
Question: Hello, This kid at school slapped me and did other things that I did not like and now it is hard for me to forgive him. How can I forgive him when he hurt me? Thank you. Answer: “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents,…
Read MoreIf we have sex one more time before our baptisms, will God forgive us?
Question: Hi, I recently converted to Christianity and so did my girlfriend. We both have been in a very sexual relationship before we found God. We have been trying hard not to do anything sexual, but we messed up once, felt horrible, and asked for forgiveness. We’re getting baptized soon, and we’re both excited. We…
Read MoreWhat Forgiveness Means
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WhatForgivenessMeans.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 103 I. When we forgive, we need to do as God has forgiven us – Ephesians 4:32 A. Our forgiveness depends on our forgiving others – Matthew 6:14-15 B. But forgiveness is not empty words. It means something II. Forgiveness returns joy to the forgiven – Psalms 103:1-5 A. When someone injures…
Read MoreI keep finding sins in my life. Do I need to get baptized again?
Question: Brother Hamilton, This has been bothering me for a while, so I am going to explain my situation. I was baptized as an infant and grew up knowing all about Jesus and what is expected of a Christian. However, as a young adult, after studying the Bible, I realized my baptism was done wrong.…
Read MoreI keep having sex with my boyfriend. Will God keep forgiving me?
Question: Hello, I don’t even know where to start. (Deep breath) Well, I have been going to church for five years. I met this guy who isn’t Christian, and we have been together two years. We have been having sex all this time. Every time I feel worse. I ask God to forgive me all…
Read MoreSince I don’t get along with a family member, can I forgive him, move away, and never talk to him again?
Question: Say if I did not get along with a family member. If I forgive him, can I separate myself from him, like move away from him, and never speak to him again? Answer: Can you move? Of course! Once you are an adult you can live wherever you like. Now, that means you are taking…
Read MoreIs my repentance too late? Am I lost forever?
Question: I grew up going to Sunday school every now and then but never learning anything. I said the sinner’s prayer when I was 22 while in AA at the time. I decided to stick with AA. I had a hard time believing in or contacting God. I didn’t pursue church or the Bible until…
Read MoreWas forgiveness required prior to healing?
Question: A question was raised in a Bible study this past Sunday with various opinions. Reading articles on your website leads me to believe you may be able to provide some additional insight, with Scriptures, into our discussion next Sunday. Studying Mark 2 Jesus forgives the paralytic and then heals him afterward. A comment was…
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