Is there a distinction between forgiveness and redemption?

Question: First, I must say that your web site is fantastic!  There is much cool stuff here that I wish I had more time to read. At Bible class last night, the issue of forgiveness vs. redemption and taking away sin came up.  The issue, and my question, is whether forgiveness and redemption are the…

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Should I divorce my husband over something that happened twelve years ago?

Question: Twelve and a half years ago my husband was nearly arrested for having sex with another man in a public bathroom. At that time I also discovered he has a serious pornography addiction.  He attended counseling for about six months and when the therapist moved he discontinued therapy.  I believed he was repentant at…

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Forgiveness (Hamilton)

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.         We must each face death             A.        But most of us have already experienced death.             B.        Death is a separation.                         1.         Physical death is a separation of the spirit from the body.                         2.         When our sins separate us from God, this is spiritual death – Isa. 59:1-3             C.        Spiritual death is not permanent. To return, we must be…

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My wife says she forgives me, but she doesn’t trust me. What do I do?

Question: I have written before regarding my and my wife’s relationship. You mentioned that she has issues with forgiveness and I agree. I tried to discuss this with her from a scriptural perspective. Stating that we are commanded to forgive as God forgives, Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 emphasizing the word “as”. I said that when…

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If I go to confession, will I be completely forgiven of my sexual sins?

Question: I was raised Christian and am still a believer. When I was younger and more impressionable, I wanted to have sex with whatever girlfriends I had at the time. After being unsuccessful in losing my virginity a few times, and reading about it online, I decided to remain a virgin by choice. It became…

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Don’t consequences still follow after forgiveness?

Note: I think this one came in response to a point I made about whether a spouse can claim to have forgiven his or her adulterous spouse, and then divorce him or her at a later time and claim to have the right to remarry. See: “If a woman accepts her husband back in desperation,…

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Can you be forgiven after blaspheming?

Question: I was reading another answer that you gave to someone else concerning unforgivable sin and blasphemy.  You wrote: “God defined blasphemy in Numbers 15:30-31. “But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his…

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Why should we forgive?

Question: Why should we forgive? Answer: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 16:14-15).

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I left the Lord, but now that I returned, will God accept me?

Question: I was baptized as a teen. I really didn’t change the way I acted or lived (drinking, partying, etc.). I went to college and lived a very immoral life (drinking, fornication, etc.). In my mid 20’s I realized that I was wrong (pierced to the heart), and repented and changed my life. Because I…

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How can I be assured God will forgive me?

Question: I am so tormented with the fear of the sin against the Holy Spirit. When I read the Scripture, it says “blaspheme” which is to “speak.” How can one change that to “reject?” How can I be assured that God will forgive me of any and every sin? I am a Christian in the…

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Why do I feel like I don’t deserve to be cleansed?

Question: I was baptized as a baby in the church and have always been a Christian, but I have not been actively involved in fellowship as much as I’d like to be. My husband and I engaged in sexual acts (not intercourse) before marriage which I know are wrong. I have asked God for forgiveness…

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How do I get forgiveness for having sex with a prostitute?

Question: Thank you very much for your answer, I am glad to see your mail. I am thankful to you for that. I will give a brief introduction about me: I am basically from a Hindu family but started believing in Christ four years ago. As I started believing in Christ, I have had disagreements…

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Could a murderer of innocent children go to heaven?

Question: Do you feel that the man who shot and killed those little girls the other day in Pennsylvania has any possibility of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ? He did say that he wanted them to pray for Him at one point in his rampage. Please be specific here if you can? Answer:…

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Can anyone be forgiven?

Question: Tell me if this is correct: No matter what sin you commit, even if someone had sold their soul to the devil, they could be forgiven for this or any other act no matter what? On the terms that they repent and ask forgiveness, could they still go to heaven? Answer: The potential forgiveness…

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Will God forgive me for doing something, knowing it was wrong?

Question: Will God forgive me for doing something, knowing it was wrong? Answer: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). God does not seek to destroy any sinner. It…

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Letting Go of Sin

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 3:1-14   I.         “Will God forgive me?”             A.        It is a question that I have been getting over and over again.             B.        People of all ages from teens to adults caught up in sin and now that they realize the error of their past and turn from it, they wonder if…

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Three Quotes on Forgiving a Brother

From Questions Answered, Lipscomb and Sewell, Kurfees, pg. 260 Question: If a brother in the church offends us, is it right for us to forgive him whether he comes and asks us to or not, or must we hold it against him until he comes and asks our pardon? Would it not be more Christlike…

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Barabbas – A Prisoner Set Free

by Kent Heaton The scene was chaos as the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” The subject of their wrath was not for a murderer but a man “who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Their cries for death were not given for one who had been an insurrectionist but to a man who healed…

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The Security of the Believer

by Robert F. Turner via Guardian of Truth, October 1985 There seems to be a resurgence of interest in “security” perhaps due to emphasis upon “grace” and both subjects are worthy of our consideration. Because of earlier battles with Calvinists on grace, faith only, and “once saved, always saved,” certain prejudices adhere to the very words…

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If a person doesn’t want to live, why is suicide wrong?

Question: My friend took her own life six years ago when we were both 17. She left me a note that said, “I have so many things I want to tell you, but I don’t know how to say. If we can meet each other in this world again, I think at that time, we…

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Remember the Duck

Author Unknown There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back inside for lunch. As he was walking back, he saw his grandmother’s pet…

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How do I cleanse my soul and forgive myself?

Question: I’d like to ask you for some verses on how I can cleanse my soul and learn how to forgive myself for a mistake that I did. Answer: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.…

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I’m addicted to pornography and masturbation. How do I stop?

Question: I’ve been addicted to porn and masturbation for two years. Everyone around thinks that I’m a right on Christian, but I’m not. Do I have to tell people what’s going on? I’m trying to stop. Will God still forgive me? Answer: Before any sin can be addressed, there has to be a period when…

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How can I feel forgiven?

Question: I am  sorry you think I lied to you.  I just wanted your view.  I haven’t been able to get my Pastor to talk to me.  He just walked away and said he couldn’t help when I told him what my husband did to me.  I needed spiritual counsel and had no one to…

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Is there a time limit on seeking a divorce?

Question: My wife had an affair about a year ago. She said she wanted to stay married and we should work on our marriage. I signed us up for counseling; she went to one session and has not gone back. She also seems to be doing some of the same things she was doing before…

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A Sin Leading to Death (Sermon)

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.          I John 5:16-17              A.         Some sins lead to death, but others do not              B.         We should pray for those who sin which does not lead to death.              C.         We are not to pray for those whose sin leads to death II.         How do we tell which sin leads to death?              A.         Which kind of death?                           1.          Physical…

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Can a murderer be forgiven by God and still go to heaven?

Question: Can a murderer be forgiven by God and still go to heaven? Answer: Jesus stated, “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” (Mark 3:28-29).…

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Can suicide be forgiven?

Question: I had a friend that took some pills and committed suicide. But right before he died he asked for forgiveness. I was just wondering if that is a forgivable sin since he asked for forgiveness or even though he asked for forgiveness is he not forgiven? Answer: I am so sorry about your loss,…

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A Sin Leading to Death (Article)

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness…

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Can adultery be forgiven? Should I tell my spouse?

Question: My husband and I separated because he committed adultery. A few months later I too committed adultery one time because I was stupid and lonely. I am closer to the Lord now and I knew it was and know it is wrong for what I did too. Will He forgive us? Can we still…

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I Can Always Ask for Forgiveness Later

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 6   I.         In pointing out some actions are sinful, it is not unusual to find people making excuses as to why they can continue in their sin             A.        I once pointed out that sex before marriage is sinful             B.        A girl objected. Oh, she and her boyfriend haven’t had sex per…

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