do you believe in deathbed repentance?

Question

ive heard it said many times that all it takes to get to heaven is repenting your sins and accepting jesus as the son of god and as your savior. so do you believe that someone can live any way they choose and repent on their deathbed? queen a, please stay out of this one, you are a bigot and im asking for peoples real opinions.

i dont mean has it happened, i mean does it get you into heaven.

Answer 1

blackjesus,
So . . . it's come to this? lol

Sure. I believe that it can happen. I'm sure it has.

Answer 2

I would be a bit concerned with deathbed repentance. Look at what repentance really is......a turning away from sin, a hatred of your sin, a rebellion against your own actions..you abhor your own deeds when you repent of something.

Repentance must also have the actions which go with repentance...the standingfast in NOT ever doing it again; the attempt to make reconcilation and to take your actions BACK through correction of your sin. Repentance is not just a good thought up there between your ears. It is a conviction of the heart which DRIVES you to hatred of the deeds, and conviction to turn it back. If these things can be accomplished while dying and be from the heart, then I have no reservation God will accept it. But, I do not see the heart of men and women, do you? Therein lays the rub!

One other point....when you have sinned and become convicted that you have sinned, you repent. How do you know you really hate the sin until temptation comes around again and YOU then have the chance to standfast AGAINST it? This is the one thing which bothers me about deathbed repentance. Most folks would be willing to do and say anything to retain their life....if given back to them and they recover, would they go back to their sin again? Only God knows this for sure.

Our life is the testing ground which God uses to prove us, not our deathbed. A dying man/woman will make many a promise in the hope of a future in this world or the next.

Scary, isn't?

Answer 3

Yes it can and does happen (just like the thief on the cross).

But there is no guarantee that just because you say that you have repented, that God has forgiven you. It quite often takes time to come to a place of repentance (truly meaning it, and not just sorry for the consequences). And if you have put off repenting so that you could sin until the last moment, then it would take even longer (because God will not be mocked).

Answer 4

There are truly deathbed repentances, but these people must
still be drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus and be truly repentant in asking forgiveness for their sins. We can't choose our time nor place of salvation. We can only respond to the Holy Spirit as it knocks upon our heart's door. God said, "my spirit does not always strive with man". Many reject him in life and aren't drawn to Christ at their end time. The thief who repented-died on the cross with Jesus would be considered a deathbed repentance.

Answer 5

I believe people do it. Do I believe they mean it? Probably only half the time. It matters not in the end because God knows which people are sincere and which are only paying him lip service. Some people I guess do realize at the end of their time that the life they led was less than perfect and truly do wish to ask forgiveness. Those I think will probably make it. After all, it is the sincerity of the prayer and repentance that counts, not the hour in which you make it.

Answer 6

That can have some variables. Fact is, I don't know. This question is going to have many answers.

I'm very well aware of what it takes according to The Word of God, to ascertain salvation. I know a couple guys, that claim, they will wait until they are on there last breathe before accepting Christ.

MY Opinion. I don't think so. why? Bottom line is this: A person just doesn't get saved when they want to. Like going to Wlmart when you want to.
God draws you nigh. If your not drawn by The Holy spirit from God, unto salvation, you can confess and get baptized till the cows come home.

I hope I'm wrong. I pray this could work for them. I just don't see it in writing where it can.

.Good Q*.
.

Answer 7

And just why do you think that God will not hear a death bed confession.
If that person really means it in their heart and believes on the name of the Lord well then they are saved.
No matter how sinful they were up to the time of their death.
Now is is not s safe then to wait that long to receive Jesus into you heart but God will forgive you on your death bed.

Answer 8

Nope, I believe in living well and not allowing myself serious regrets. I like my life and am content, why should I feel guilty about my choices? Sure, some parts have been less than enjoyable, and some of that was my fault, but it just made me appreciate the rest of life more. I consider a lesson learned more important than external forgiveness. No guilt, no lying to myself, no repression.

Answer 9

The christians claim it true and if that is the case then child molester, rapist, murderers and just plain evil people can somehow make it into heaven if all they do is ask for forgiveness. While a good person that is a non believer will burn in hell forever. Sounds kinda ridiculous to me

Answer 10

It seems like a pretty piss-poor way of getting into your imaginary candy-land to me.
If someone is a right bastard all his or her life, lies, cheats, steals, hurts others but on thier death bed repents, they get into the magic after life motel. But someone who lives a good life, loves, heals and treats others with respect and admiration, but doesn't believe in your magic sky-pixie, they are doomed to an eternity enduring torture?
Yeah that makes sense.
Just another reason why I'm an Atheist.

Answer 11

What if you walk out on the street and get flattened dead by a fast car?
Don't count on having a bed, the time, the consciousness to make any sort of decision when you die.
And you will die!