A Question of Repentance?

Question

This is a subject that came up no another forum, and I'm just curious as to what most people think. On the subject of being able to repent (ie, ask and recieve forgiveness from God).

Example senario: A person broke one of the Commandments-they killed someone. Not in defense, or even for revenge-but simply to see 'what it felt like' or 'for fun'. now let us assume this same person is caught, serves their time, is released, but then is diagnosed with something terminal, and they have all of a year ot live. They turn to religion and wish with sincerity forgiveness from god-but they do so as most people would because they do not want to risk a eternity of suffering. Is the person forgiven and allowed in? Also if you could post a verse along with why you have this belief that is easy to follow for those of us not well versed in Christian faiths, that would be excellent and appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone!

Answer 1

My friend, the thief on the cross next to Jesus was told that he would be in paradise that very day with the LORD so yes.....those that have committed horrible crimes can and will be forgiven if they sincerely repent. GOD does however know if they are indeed sincere.

John 3:16 says "whosoever" There are no exceptions given. This goes along with...God is not willing for ANY to perish but for ALL to come to repentance...again there are no exceptions.

One word of caution....we are not promised a tomorrow and according to Hebrews 9:27 we have one life and after this the judgment so do not count on a second chance or waiting until the last moment so you can "enjoy" life until then......

Answer 2

Repentance is not only asking and receiving forgiveness but the turning away from sin. the reason for the behavior in the first place isn't important. Regardless of whether it had been for revenge or in self or another's defense, it still would have been a sin. The law or a jury might have found that person innocent in one of those cases but they still would have had some work to do with God to have their relationship restored (or perhaps established in the first place). And just because this person in your example serves jail time does not mean they are forgiven. There are two different laws at work here.
The additional question regarding the person who is then only concerned about their eternal soul - well God pretty much has that one figured out. Requests for forgiveness are not the same as putting in a penny and getting a gumball. Again, there is work to do and God knows the difference between a person who is sincere in their sorrow and desire to right their life and one who is only sorry because they have been caught. If this hypothetical person prayed with a real desire to be forgiven, to have a genuine relationship with God and to not sin again then I would say they would absolutely be forgiven.
There are many verses about repenting but none that illustrate exactly this point. The thing about the Bible is that you often have to read quite a bit to get a your mind wraped around a whole concept like this but I did chose one for you that I like. 2 Corr 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret but worldy sorrow brings death."
This gets fairly close meaning that God does know the difference. The death referred to here is a spiritual one and means that there will be a death for those who do not repent. If the person only cares about the world there is no after life. Remember that Judas sinned in turning Christ over to be killed. He then hung himself. Peter also seriously betrayed Christ but repented and was restored to faith and service. They both had a choice. Judas, who was sorry, took the exit. Peter, who was also sorry, turned to God and turned away from the sin.
Hope this helped a little. Just my opinion of course and God bless!

Answer 3

On subjects such as this, there are so many, one would have a hard time writing them all down. It is throughout scripture. BUt, get a good concordance, Strongs is excellent, and look these things up in the Bible for ourself, IF they are important to you. I find we learn more when we look them up, rather than having someone else do it for us.
But, here is what the Bible tells us. That ALL can come to God for forgivness. ALL. Doesnt say a particular sin is too much to forgive. It says ALL. And, God is the only one to give absolution, total forgivness. Not a priest, or a pastor, nor even the person wrong. The person wronged may forgive you, but they have no say about heaven or hell where you are concerned. Your scenario... Yes, this person may go to God for full forgiveness. Even for murder, rape, incest, whatever... God says one sin is equal to the other. He says rebellion is as witchcraft. sin is sin. But, nothing is too big for God to forgive. But, you said you suspect he is just mouthing the words to save himself. Well, then it doesnt work. ONLY GOD knows the heart, and He knows it all. We cant judge this person, only God can because He alone knows the heart. But, to be forgiven, you must confess your sins, ask God to forgive you, totally repent, and ask Jesus into your heart as your own personal saviour, and yes you must mean it. We cant fool God. thats just another sin. Just to avoid hell doesnt work. Its true repentance that brings forgivenss and we can do that only because of the blood Jesus shed on the cross for us. Its such a blessing and one should not enter into this lightly.
YOu say you arent well versed any longer in your Christian faith. Then, please, get to where you need to be. Study the Bible and pray. If you want to know God, you have to know what He is saying. Study and pray, ask God to show you new truths daily and He will. He is calling His Last Day people into holiness and purity, which is obedience to all He says, not just the parts we are comfy with. Jesus is coming soon, and He tells us to be ready. How do we know what to obey if we have no clue what God is saying to us? I love your question. Seek and ye shall find. Knock the door will be opened. And spread the Good News of God. Jesus is Lord and He is coming SOON.

Answer 4

This is one place where Catholics and Protestants differ.

The Protestant would say, if he ever accepted Christ, he would go to heaven, no questions asked.

The Catholic would say, hey, not so fast. God knows whether his repentence was sincere. If he was 100% repentant for the hurt he had caused and his offense to God, he would be 100% forgiven. If he just wants to get out of punishment, God would forgive his sin -- yes, 100% forgiven -- but he'd have to do some time in purgatory before going to Heaven.

Answer 5

specific to the two questions. placed "repent" and "forgive" right into a Bible seek engine and you will discover gospel passages like those: Mark a million:4 (see additionally Luke 3:3): And so John got here, baptizing interior the barren area area and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist taught that forgiveness demands repentance--and Jesus submitted to baptism to sort how we are to repent. His ministry began with the message, "Repent, for the dominion of heaven is handy." Luke 17:3: "in the journey that your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven circumstances in an afternoon, and 7 circumstances comes lower back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." observe that repentance is often the situation for forgiveness. people who do no longer repent, like people who won't forgive others, at the instant are not forgiven. Luke 24:40 seven: Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in his call to all countries, beginning at Jerusalem. yet is penance required? inspect the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19: yet Zacchaeus stood up and mentioned to the Lord, "look, Lord! right here and now I provide 0.5 of my possessions to the undesirable, and if I relatively have cheated every person out of something, i can pay lower back 4 circumstances the quantity." Jesus mentioned to him, "on the instant salvation has come to this domicile, because of the fact this guy, too, is a son of Abraham." It replaced into the reparation for sin in returning the stolen money that signaled that Zacchaeus replaced into intense approximately repentance. Repentance isn't basically saying sorry. It is composed of a conviction which you have finished incorrect, a determination to no longer proceed in wrongdoing, and a willingness to do what's available to mitigate the harm that replaced into finished. CDF

Answer 6

On the spiritual plane, something that's truly wrong-doing in the eyes of God is a sin. The Death of Jesus Chris symbolizes the cleansing of sin, no matter when or why, and the path to this cleansing is by accepting Jesus as God and Savior. This is the same as gaining forgiveness from God, thus one can be forgiven just by accepting Jesus.

Answer 7

Hi:

I believe that repentance precedes believing. In other words repentance, then faith in Christ.

Repentance is more than simply being sorry for my sins, repentance is agreeing with God that I am a sinner and that my sin has totally separated me from him causing me to be "dead in trespasses and in sin"

It is only when I reach repentance that I realize that I cannot do anything to make me right with God and to acknowledge that I need a Savior.

It is from the repentant heart that we are caused to reach out to God by faith and ask "What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:30-31)

When I repent, I take my place as a lost sinner before God. It is only at this point that God by his Spirit can reveal to me "that Christ died for my sins according to the scripture..." (1 Cor. 15)

God bless you

Answer 8

As a Catholic it's totally believable to trust in repentance. And as Christ has established, we receive His forgiveness through those whom He has given His authority to in John 20:21 Jesus says to the apostles, "as the Father sent me, so I send you." As Christ was sent by the Father to forgive sins, so Christ sends the apostles and their successors forgive sins.

So if this person goes to confession, and as you say, is sincerely seeking forgiveness, the priest will hear the sincerity and give absolution to the sinner. ^_^ Hope that helps. God bless.

Answer 9

God's Infinite Mercy

[39:53] Proclaim: "O My servants who exceeded the limits, never despair of GOD's mercy. For GOD forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, Most Merciful."

[39:54] You shall obey your Lord, and submit to Him totally, before the retribution overtakes you; then you cannot be helped.

[39:55] And follow the best path that is pointed out for you by your Lord, before the retribution overtakes you suddenly when you least expect it.

[39:56] Lest a soul may say, "How sorry I am for disregarding GOD's commandments; I was certainly one of the mockers."

[39:57] Or say, "Had GOD guided me, I would have been with the righteous."

[39:58] Or say, when it sees the retribution, "If I get another chance, I will work righteousness."

[39:59] Yes indeed (you did get enough chances). My proofs came to you, but you rejected them, turned arrogant, and became a disbeliever.

[39:60] On the Day of Resurrection you will see the faces of those who lied about GOD covered with misery. Is Hell not the right retribution for the arrogant ones?

[39:61] And GOD will save those who have maintained righteousness; He will reward them. No harm will touch them, nor will they have any grief.

[39:62] GOD is the Creator of all things, and He is in full control of all things.

[39:63] To Him belongs all decisions in the heavens and the earth, and those who disbelieve in GOD's revelations are the real losers.

[39:64] Say, "Is it other than GOD you exhort me to worship, O you ignorant ones?"

Idol Worship Nullifies All Work

[39:65] It has been revealed to you, and to those before you that if you ever commit idol worship, all your works will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.

[39:66] Therefore, you shall worship GOD alone, and be appreciative.

Greatness of God*

[39:67] They can never fathom the greatness of GOD. The whole earth is within His fist on the Day of Resurrection. In fact, the universes are folded within His right hand. Be He glorified; He is much too high above needing any partners.


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*39:67 Our universe, with its billion galaxies, a billion trillion stars, uncountable decillions of heavenly bodies, spanning many billions of light-years, is the smallest and innermost of seven universes. This incomprehensible vastness of the seven universes is within God's hand. Such is the greatness of God. See Appendix 6.
The Day of Judgment

[39:68] The horn will be blown, whereupon everyone in the heavens and the earth will be struck unconscious, except those who will be spared by GOD. Then it will be blown another time, whereupon they will all rise up, looking.

[39:69] Then the earth will shine with the light of its Lord. The record will be proclaimed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forth. Everyone will then be judged equitably, without the least injustice.

[39:70] Every soul will be paid for whatever it did, for He is fully aware of everything they have done.

The Disbelievers

[39:71] Those who disbelieved will be led to Hell in throngs. When they get to it, and its gates are opened, its guards will say, "Did you not receive messengers from among you, who recited to you the revelations of your Lord, and warned you about meeting this day?" They will answer, "Yes indeed. But the word `retribution' was already stamped upon the disbelievers."

[39:72] It will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell, wherein you abide forever." What a miserable destiny for the arrogant.

The Believers

[39:73] Those who reverenced their Lord will be led to Paradise in throngs. When they get to it, and its gates are opened, its guards will say, "Peace be upon you; you have won. Therefore, you abide herein forever."

[39:74] They will say, "Praise be to GOD, who fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the earth, enjoying Paradise as we please." What a beautiful recompense for the workers!

[39:75] You will see the angels floating around the throne, glorifying and praising their Lord. After the equitable judgment is issued to all, it will be proclaimed: "Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe."


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*39:68 The sequence of events on the Day of Resurrection begins with the symbolic blowing of the horn. The second blowing of the horn-by a creature who was spared from unconsciousness-marks the resurrection of all people; they will be resurrected on today's earth. This earth will then be destroyed by the physical coming of God, then a new earth and new heavens will be created (14:48). We will then be stratified according to our degree of development (Appendix 11).

Answer 10

sure asking to be forgiven is nice and all, but it doesnt change the FACT that you KILLED SOMEONE. jesus might forgive that person but personally i SURE AS HELL dont. lets say that person murdered a member of my family...why do i have to forgive him? i think i have a right not to forgive a murderer. i dont even know why people would forgive a murderer...thats sick!