Posts Tagged ‘forgiveness’
I still worry about the unforgivable sin. What do I do?
Question: Again I have been worrying about the possibility of my having committed a sin that I can never be forgiven of. In Matthew 12 besides using the word “blasphemy,” it uses “speaks against” as well. If a person speaks anything bad about God, how can they be forgiven? What if there really is a…
Read MoreIs it wrong to hire a preacher who has been divorced?
Question: There’s a congregation in town that just hired a young preacher who is divorced and it wasn’t for adultery. This was told to me by a sister who knew them well. Is it okay for them to hire a preacher who is in this circumstance? Answer: Neither you nor I know what happened. According to the…
Read MoreIs there any hope for me?
Question: I went through your article, “A Sin Leading to Death.” Like so many other articles on the sin that leads to death and apostasy, there seems to be no final consensus on what are these sins, what are their consequences, and the chances of reversing these consequences. So the article held some hope for…
Read MoreSelling Yourself
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/SellingYourself.mp3 Text: I Kings 21:1-26 I. Have you heard the old phrase that someone had sold his soul to the Devil? A. Unfortunately, it is not just some mythological idea. It has some biblical basis. B. Elijah, in I Kings 21:20, accuses Ahab of selling himself when he took possession of Naboth’s vineyard. 1. Notice though that Ahab…
Read MoreThank you for the information on forgiveness and repentance
Question: Thank you very much for your web site’s index. I have been struggling a lot with issues concerning forgiveness, repentance and such. My story is quite intriguing and alarming; however, I don’t want to overwhelm you with it. Your site makes me feel like I have hope, and that when I repented, that God really…
Read MoreCan you explain what “if we sin willfully” in Hebrews 10:26 means?
Question: I am confused at what I am reading in Hebrews 10:26-27: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (ESV). I am confused because I know…
Read MoreHow can the prodigal son come back when it is supposed to be impossible for the fallen to come back?
Question: Doesn’t the prodigal son passage contradict the part in the Bible where it says that those who’ve fallen cannot be brought back? It’s confusing me. Answer: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the…
Read MoreI don’t think a preacher caught in adultery should continue without some disciplinary action
Question: I have been reading your many posts on marriage and relationships. I am somewhat confused in regards to your reply to “If a minister has committed adultery, should he step down even though he has repented of his sin.” It seems that you say that the preacher can continue in his ministerial service without…
Read MoreIf a minister has committed adultery, should he step down even though he has repented of his sin?
Question: What should happen to a minister who has committed adultery for almost a decade with a woman of another congregation who has made their relationship known to the leadership and other members? Hence, the minister has confessed before the congregation that he has sinned and that he repented of his sins and that his…
Read MoreHow can you forgive someone if you don’t trust them?
Question: I’m really having a hard time with Christianity right now. Things keep getting more confusing to me, which makes me want to give up. We were discussing forgiveness in class Sunday and scenarios we brought up stating how hard it would be to forgive someone and how the relationship may not be the same…
Read MoreI know God won’t forgive me
Question: You said to a person on your website: “But if you didn’t reject those thoughts, but instead focused on them and considered them, perhaps even wondering if you could get away with it, then you have stopped resisting Satan and giving in to sin. That is what lust is, wanting something really badly even…
Read MoreShould I work things out with my husband whom I divorced for committing adultery?
Question: I divorced my husband for committing adultery and he is now trying to contact me. He has been with the other woman for three years. I am not sure if they married or not. How would God view me if I attempt to work things out with him? Answer: “And I say to you,…
Read MoreShould a man search out the father who abandoned him as a child to remove a curse of a broken family from him?
Question: We were having a conversation about a man from a broken family, who is born again. Should he go to look for his dad who abandoned him when he was a child? We were divided into two camps. One group was of the opinion that this man should go look for his dad so…
Read MoreDid Jesus give men the right to forgive sins?
Question: I was reading “What is wrong with Catholicism?” because I was Catholic by default like you said. I had serious doubts, but what I found is that you made a big mistake. You say that man cannot grant forgiveness, but when I was reading the Bible, Jesus said that His priests, people, ministers, pastor,…
Read MoreCan I purify my soul after looking at pornography?
Question: Hello sir. Before reading the article, “A Look at Pornography,” I had not gotten involved with prostitutes or anything of that sort. I recently was frustrated with academics and as a refreshment, I watched some porn. At some point I thought of going to a prostitute, but, sir, now I have decided after reading your…
Read MoreAre our sins completely wiped away or will they be remembered at Judgment in some way?
Question: In II Corinthians 5:10, it reads: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Then in Hebrews 8:12, it reads: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their…
Read MoreCan I be forgiven of abortion and adultery?
Question: I have had an abortion and committed adultery as a Christian. My understanding, while reading your information on the sins that lead to death, is that I see no way I could be forgiven. Am I reading it right? Please help me with this. Answer: No, you are not reading the article “A Sin Leading…
Read MoreCan a broken vow to God be forgiven?
Question: I read your response to “What does God do if you make a deal with Him and don’t keep it?” Question: When a broken promise has nothing to do with another person, does the Bible state anything about a person repenting for breaking a promise made specifically to God? What are the consequences of…
Read MoreWhy didn’t you say that the girl who was living with her boyfriend could be forgiven of her sins?
Question: I just read over your response to a girl who lives with her boyfriend and she asked why you called it a sin. You gave her reasons, but then you listed reasons for her to consider. The second heading was “It Can Keep You Out of Heaven.” If you are preaching the truth as you…
Read MoreHow do I let go of remembering my sins?
Question: Last year I went through some trials and became discouraged. I had a led a fairly solid Christian life until I turned away from Christ and the Jesus I knew for a period of time. There were serious illnesses and disorders in my family and knew three young people who died recently, one by…
Read MoreJesus Shows Us How to Forgive Others
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/2010Spring4JesusShowsUsHowToForgiveOthers.mp3 by Frank Walton Christ, the Only Way
Read MoreMust I ask forgiveness from the person I wronged before I can repent?
Question: Must I ask for forgiveness from one who suffered the consequence of my sin before I can repent? This only seems logical to me. A person should first seek to heal a fellow human who has been hurt by them. Please email me something brief about this as I am in anguish. Answer: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not…
Read MoreHow much should be confessed to be forgiven?
Question: This was an answer given to a question regarding adultery, and if the husband should be told about it. I am assuming he didn’t know about it. “Everyone sins, but the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is that a Christian does not want to stay in sin. The Christian will go to the…
Read MoreHow soon should I forgive someone?
Question: How soon do I forgive someone? People can say things without meaning them. Should I wait until I see that they have really changed? Answer: “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,…
Read MoreIf a person says “If I’m lying, may I go to hell” and then lies, will God forgive them if they repent?
Question: I can’t really remember if I have ever done this, but I am kind of sure I have. I hope I never said this, but if someone says to a person: “If I am lying, may I go to hell,” and then they lie, will they go to hell even if they repent? Answer: I…
Read MoreI want to be a real Christian
Question: I am a 17-year-old girl who believes in Jesus and God, but I have sinned a lot. I have used God’s name in vain. I have even questioned if He was good or evil. I know God is good and only God is good. I have even said I didn’t believe in Him. I…
Read MoreI kissed a married woman. Does that mean I can never marry in the future?
Question: I have committed a horrible sin. I am single and have never been married. I was baptized a long time ago. I recently passionately kissed a married woman. I knew she was married when this happened. Afterward, when I snapped out of it, I felt horrible. I contacted her the next day, explained that…
Read MoreForgiveness (North)
by Phillip North via Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 8, Aug. 2008. Much has been preached and written on how mankind, especially Christians, should and must practice forgiveness. No doubt it is a command, not a mere option. Jesus said, “But if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if…
Read MoreIf a person isn’t baptized, does that mean they’ve never been forgiven of any sin?
Question: If a person isn’t baptized, does that mean that they’ve never been forgiven of any sin they’ve ever committed? Answer: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy…
Read MoreSince I had sex with my girlfriend, does this mean I am married to her?
Question: Hello brother. Thank you for the good web site and for the questions and answers that you have posted. I have a question and a problem that I want you to help me to solve. I have been dating a girl for three years. She has been really close to me and I love…
Read MoreDoes sin require a public confession before a congregation?
Question: It is with great difficulty that I find myself writing to you with this question. I have been married for about several months now. Shortly before the wedding, we made a grievous error and fell into sexual sins. A child was conceived from this sin. We are overjoyed over the child but do admit…
Read MoreDo spouses who knowingly break their marriage covenant ever realize their error?
Question: Do spouses who break their marriage covenant knowingly (having true knowledge of what God says on the matter) ever come to a realization of their error? Do they actually regret what they did? I ask this because having read posts and articles on your web site about spouses (Christians) who are guilty of this…
Read MoreMy brother embarrassed my non-Christian friend. What should I do?
Question: I have a friend whom I’ve known for about a month. We talk every so often and hang out. We went hiking yesterday and it was the first time she was over at my house. I don’t date non-Christians and she is not a Christian. She knows this and that my faith defines me.…
Read MoreIs it wrong to ask God for the forgiveness of sins, but also have other things in mind to ask from Him?
Question: I have a question: I asked God for something and I hoped that He will help me out in it because I know I depend on Him. For some reason, every time I think I have sinned I seem to be really concerned about sinning because I think that God is going to punish…
Read MoreI know God has forgiven me, but I had committed adultery and I can’t forgive myself
Question: I went looking for answers on the web because I too had committed adultery, but it was many years ago when I was young. I was a virgin at the time – very naive about matters in regards to men and women. I was born into a strict Italian home with a harsh Dad…
Read MoreBless the Lord, O My Soul
Bless the Lord O My Soul Part 1Bless the Lord O My Soul Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 103 I. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t get someone asking me: A. Do you think I can be forgiven of my sin? B. How can I know I’ve been forgiven? C. I live in…
Read MoreI’m carrying about so much guilt. I hide it from my parents, but am I wrong for doing so?
Question: For some time, I have carried guilt for many things; guilt which I am not often able to suppress. I am a fifteen-year-old girl and my life hasn’t exactly been a box of roses. Within the first three years of my life, I was fed lies by my aunt, by my mother, and I…
Read MoreHow can I stop being so judgmental against my sisters who had abortions?
Question: I have been judgmental toward my sisters who have had abortions. I know it is wrong, but these horrible thoughts come into my head and when I am around them I get a very evil look on my face (opposite of smiling) and look stern and hateful. My sister was down from Boston about…
Read MoreI feel so guilty about my past sins. I just can’t get them off my mind. Why do I still not feel forgiven? Is forgiveness all about feelings?
Question: Years before my girlfriend, who is my wife right now, and I had committed fornication and I got her an abortion. I was so sorry, even now, and regretful I allowed these things to happen, but it happened. Prior to our planned marriage, I converted and become a Christian. I repented of my sins…
Read MoreDoes the person with more sins love God greater?
Question: Hi. I have a question for you. Actually, a couple. I think this will be some pretty good ones to have on the site, but mainly I am writing for some clarification for my own personal understanding. Concerning the parable of the two debtors that Jesus told Simon Peter about. Simon Peter concluded that…
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