This question is rated for mature Christians only. Others need not reply.?

Question

I have been a Christian for over 25 years. I do try to follow the teachings of The Bible with an understanding that I can not pick and choose only the parts that are to my liking.

I believe that those who truly repent, (with the idea that to repent is to BE sorry, rather than to just say you are sorry, it also requires that you turn away from your wrongdoing,) are forgiven. I have taught my children likewise.

My question is--can a person be so vile or demented that they are never able to bring themselves to repentance? This is outside the scope of those who simply chose not to. I am thinking of habitual child abusers and serial killers here. Does it ever go from " will they repent" to "CAN they repent"?

You have provided me with some thought provoking ideas. All suggested sripture has been reviewed. It is hard to pick a "best answer" out of these replies. Thanks to ALL who responded.

Answer 1

YES.

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 1:27-36 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Jeremiah 6:30
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
Jeremiah 6:29-30 (in Context) Jeremiah 6 (Whole Chapter)
Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Romans 1:27-29 (in Context) Romans 1 (Whole Chapter)
2 Timothy 3:8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Timothy 3:7-9 (in Context) 2 Timothy 3 (Whole Chapter)
Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Titus 1:15-16 (in Context) Titus 1 (Whole Chapter)
Topical index results3 Results
SILVER » Reprobate (Jeremiah 6:30)
CHARACTER » OF THE WICKED » Reprobate (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16)
WICKED (PEOPLE) » Compared with » Reprobate silver (Jeremiah 6:30)

Answer 2

Since they exhibit indications that they are actively trying to hide their identity from Police, they must know that their actions were wrong. If they know their actions are wrong, then they have the ability to repent.

Serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer for example, many times were so badly abused as children, that they have no ability to feel any remorse or any compassion for their victims. I would think that they also gave up hoping on the rescue from a loving God long ago, quite frankly. My point is that I don't think there is a belief in God that would trigger them to desire repentance.

One thing I just want to note, is that a murderer cannot find forgiveness in the flesh no matter how much repenting they do;
Scripture is clear on the matter: they must be sent to the Father to be judged where they will also face the victim(s). I assume the victim has alot to do with whether they are forgiven of the sin (thats my own supposition, I can't document the last part)
So it doesn't matter if they repent or not.
Execution is not only best for those of us left here who do not want this guy out on the streets ever again; its also the best thing for the murderer, if they truly do want to find forgiveness.

Ya know what I wish? I wish that when they have proof that someone who becomes a serial killer has been abused by parents, they should also execute the parents; they are the ones who caused the whole thing to begin with.
Parents in general should realize what an immense responsibillity it is for them to
bring up every child in a loving, decent,
happy home with both a mother role model who is decent, and a father role model who is decent.

Hey, remember that little girl was missing right out of her bedroom about 2 yrs ago?
Remember the neighbor turned out to be
the guilty one? That guy made me see that
yeah, there are people so vile that its hard
to believe they exist -- but they sure do...
anyway, don't dwell on this stuff too much
or you're gonna get yourself way depressed, ok?
have a cool weekend

rt

Answer 3

Sister you need to clear something up for me just a little bit.
(I do try to follow the teachings of The Bible with an understanding that I can not pick and choose only the parts that are to my liking) You got two things going here. You know you can't pick and choose. Great, now lets add this scripture to this. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" Repentance is a gift you know that . Faith is the key to everything even people in there worst state. When you are believing for someone doesn't matter what it looks like, it's a test of your faith at stake. For them or whom ever. God may call you home before they manifest. Seems like it works out better if it's family according to scripture a lamb for a household. When you have studied and know what the word say you gotta believe. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them" The works of faith is believing and walking in and standing on what the word say. When old sleuth foot comes and try to rob you of the victory. Resist the Devil and he will flee. Tell him it is written get behind me. and cover yourself at all times with the blood of Jesus. Doesn't matter how demented a person if your believing for them it's all about you and the Father.

Answer 4

Now this is an issue that makes me cringe. I remember a a child I was told there were Dr.s and Lawyers in the prison on the farm where we lived. State Prison Farm. As a nine year old I remember being shocked, they I thought were the good guys.
Later in life I found out that not everyone sitting in the church house with you is saved, and there are child molesters there too.
Something that came across my mind a few years back while in prayer, there are those whose soul is so seared into believing and doing what they want that they are past repentance.
The word is reprobate, Romans 1: 28
God bless you<><

Answer 5

There is no sin, or combinations of sin, so vile that a person cannot get down on their knees and truly repent of those sins and be forgiven and washed clean by faith in Christ as their savior.

You ask, can someone be so vile that they never bring themselves to repentance? Actually the bible tells us that it is the goodness of God that brings us to repentance. Only by His enabling can anyone say "Jesus is Lord".

The mystery of why some repent and why some don't is one I cannot answer. But I do know one thing: prayer is extremely powerful. There are a lot of people in heaven that were interceded for by praying friends and family.

Answer 6

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient". Romans 1:28

Hbr 12:16 Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright

Hbr 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears

Some will not repent. Some will not receive the gift of repentence.. Godly sorrow is often the first step that leads to repentence( a change of mind,will,direction). Many are sorrowful...many will not change.

Answer 7

not christian but i am going to reply to this... personally.. i dont know how ANYONE higher power or not can forgive someone who takes another persons innocense or willingly takes anothers life... or god forbids harms a child physically,emotionally,sexually. there is no excuse for these actions and people are aware of what they are doing at the time. however if someone were to kill someone in a car accident (no drink drugs etc) then i think they can be forgiven. most people dont get behind the wheel and think " wow im gonna run over someone today or cause a 35 car pile up!". those are accidents and accidents can be forgiven.

Answer 8

I wonder the same thing sometimes. I grew up with a kid who's father beat him almost everyday of his life. While his step mother sat and did nothing to help him. His father never laid a hand on his brother or sister, but continuously abused him daily. Verbally and physically. Unfortunately Matt made the wrong choice, and one night when his father went to hit him, he shot him in the head, and then proceeded to go inside and shoot his step mother. I found out about a month later. I wrote him a letter. And he said he knew what he did was wrong, but he just could not take it anymore. We have been sending each other letters since. I do not condone what he did, but since he has been in jail, he says he has found God and repented. He is truly sorry for what he did now, and spends everyday witnessing to others, and loving God. My husband and I have discussed it before, on if he could be forgiven, and I really hope he can be. He IS sorry for what he did. And he DOES have love for God.

I think the best thing you can do for people like that is continue to pray for them. Keep them in your thoughts, and hope their love for God is genuine, and not just out of fear for punishment.

Answer 9

I don't know. From what I have observed in my life, the Holy Spirit can shatter many hearts of stone. In one of Max Lucado's books, he argued that Jeffrey Dahmer accepted Christ while he was on death row. This was shocking news to me and I really do not know the facts. Just the thought was enough to ask whether I liked God to be as gracious as he was.

In a lot of ways, my feelings against Mr. Dahmer were like the feelings Jonah had against the Ninevites. They were butchers. They mutilated their captives. Jonah did not want to go there simply because he did not want to see them experience God's grace. If the Ninevites were able to receive God's grace then I suspect that many people who we might think are too far gone are probably at a place where they will recognize their vast need for the gospel.

Answer 10

This is a great question. The answer is no. There is always an opportunity to repent although it is difficult after a while because you conscience becomes as though it were seared with a hot iron. Blasphemy against the holy ghost is the only unforgivable sin. To do this one would have to have a perfect knowledge of the existence of God and then deny him.

Answer 11

"...All unrighteousness is sin; and yet there is a sin that does not incur death.” (1 John 5:16,17)

If one sins in ignorance or because of human imperfections, forgiveness is available.

But for willful sinning there is no sin-atoning sacrifice:

“If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, ...” (Heb. 10:26, 27)

Willful sin, with the eyes of understanding wide open to the undeniable operation of God’s holy spirit / active force, is unforgivable.

Intercession was not to be made for such ones even before Christ’s time. (Jer. 7:1-16; 11:14; 14:11)

Willful sinners,
insincere & unrepentant,
set in their evil ways,
unwilling to conform to God’s requirements,
have “no forgiveness forever” (Mark 3:29).