Is there an unforgivable sin? And if there isn't, then why isn't "the Church" and Christians in general, more forgiving and acceptable? Shouldn't God be the one to judge? I am reading an autobiography of Jim Bakker, the very same who was involved in the "PTL Scandal" in the late 80's. He said," I was wrong." And repented, and now is out of prison, and on tv again, a changed, humbled man, or so it seems. Does he deserve another chance?
2007-10-20 10:38:57 · 14 answers · asked by tazmanic777 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus said in John 14, speaking of the Holy Spirit, that he is "the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him." To reject the Truth is blaspheming against the Spirit, and this cannot be forgiven. If Jim Bakker has indeed repented of his sins, and it wasn't just a "prison repentance", according to the Word of God what he's done in his past has been forgiven him.
2007-10-20 11:12:57 · answer #1 · answered by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only unforgivable sin is not to accept the forgiveness.
Christians are not 'accepting by the world's standards because they believe in absolutes. I can best explain this by comparing them to another group of people who believe in absolutes: math teachers.
When I was little the teacher gave me a paper that said 5+5=____ I wrote 11. The next day the paper came back with a big red X on it. I went to the teacher and I said "Why did you put a big red X on my paper? I don't like red Xs. Please don't do it again." That day the teacher gave me a paper that said 5+5=____. I wrote 9. Again a big red X. I was so mad! I went to that teacher and I said. "Why are you doing this to me?" You know what the teacher didn't feel at all sorry. She said "5 and 5 is always 10 it can't be anything else." I told her I was so close both times, but did she care? No, not her.
Of course, that story was made up. I wouldn't have talked to my teachers like that. However, my point is that is an absolute 5 and 5 is 10. If I give the teacher any other answer, it is wrong. Christians believe in certain absolutes too. Certain things are wrong just because they are wrong.
Most things God tells us are wrong, science will later find a reason for. Such as the sanitary laws God gave Isreal proving themselves at the time of the Black Death. Few Jews died of the plauge. Why? Because they burried their waste (as opposed to dumping it in the streets). They washed themselves more than the average person. Etc. Now we know, they killed the infection or stopped ways of spreading it. All they knew was God told them and they obeyed! Even when we don't know why God says something is bad or good we should follow.
However, even after someone has done something wrong. The Christian faith offers redemption. That is to say, if a person is willing to STOP SINNING and repent they should be welcomed back into the fold.
This doen't always happen because people are people, even the ones who call themselves Christians, and they sometimes want to keep punishing people even after the people are wanting to come back. This is wrong and Unchristian, but it happens.
2007-10-20 11:09:28 · answer #2 · answered by Truth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only one sin is unforgivable. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Yes, I believe Jim Bakker deserves another chance. If he has repented and asked God to forgive him, then God has forgiven him, and so should we. If you sinned, and then repented, and asked forgiveness, do you think God should forgive you? Of course, and He will. That's what Grace is. Getting something good that we don't even deserve! God Bless
2007-10-20 10:48:52 · answer #3 · answered by byHisgrace 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does a loving father not forgive the errors and sins of the child when the child is sincerely sorry and has done all they can to set things aright? Of course not, loving parents forgive them and help them to mend their ways.
Parents, those who have borne and reared children, are better able to understand why our Creator-father, might be slow to condemn or even destry his own children. Jesus' story of the prodigal son well illustrates how a loving father can long wait for the repentance of an erring child.
To repent simply means to be sorry and see the mistake so much so that they will never again do that thing. It also means that they do all they can to mend their ways and set aright the wrongs if at all possible. And all things are possible through God's loving mercy and grace.
Jesus came to reveal the All-loving nature of God to man. It is human beings who have problems with forgiveness and rehabilitating those who have done wrong and/or sinful things.
The most unforgivable sin is to self-identify with sin so much so that they can no longer see truth and reality. If such soul becomes that identified with sin, they become actually iniquitous. In this scenario, they are identified with unreality - things that can not and do not exist in the Infinite One. They eventually become as if they never were.
2007-10-20 10:57:45 · answer #4 · answered by Holly Carmichael 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unforgiveness is a very human emotion and humans will be humans. However, that does not mean that we cannot follow Jesus's example. I agree that churches and Christians should be more forgiving HINT HINT HINT...
Edit about the guy that answered after me: If the unforgivable sin is disbelief, then wouldn't beginning to believe mean that you are forgiven? No hard feelings, just an observation.
2007-10-20 10:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by music10111 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you believe in Jesus and are obedient, God will remember your sins no more! (Hebrews 10: 17). The only unforgivable sin is blasphemy of the Holy spirit, meaning that you were baptized with the holy spirit and one day you walk away from church and say that God and Jesus does not exist.
A lot of these churches act like they are righteous and try not to sin but nobody can keep from sin. So, you need to move on and not worry what sin you committed and do the will of God! No, this does not mean that you can go out and do what ever you wish, because you think you are covered by the blood of Jesus! If you commit a crime, you are going to pay for it by the laws of the land.
Why Jesus died For Us
He is our sacrificial lamb who shed his blood to cover your sins: past, present and future. If not he died at the cross in vain. He full filled (Luke 24: 44) and nailed the 10 commandments to the cross (Colossi ans 2:14). Christ did not die in vain (Galatians 2: 21). Spirit is of faith and not of the works of the law (Galatians 3: 2). Christ is the end of the law (Romans 10: 4). The law was our tutor but no more (Galatians 3: 24 – 25). God will remember your sins no more (Hebrews 10:17). You are a sinner for life, there is nothing that you can do, not to sin (1 john 1: 7 - 10). You can not go out into the world and do what ever you wish, just because Jesus covered your sins (Romans 6: 1 - 3). Hebrews 8: 7 – 13 (he wrote the laws into their hearts, so that you would know right from wrong.
If you have faith in Jesus and are obedient to God, then you are not under the 10 commandments.
If you do not believe in Jesus, then you are under the 10 commandments, now you need to bring your unblemished goat to the alter every year and sacrifice it to cover your sins but with Jesus, he is our new covenant.
You are justified by faith and not of your works
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http://www.fcflighthouse.com/healing%20Services.htm
2007-10-20 10:48:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
God has created, is running, and will destroy the Universe. God is the Origin and Destination of the Universe. God was, is, will be everywhere, God was never Created and will never die / be destroyed. God is beyond Life and Death. All religions of world teach human way to get close to God. You give your Best, God will give thy Best. Ask God for help and forgive, God will help and forgive you. Pray; Worship and Thank God for everything. Remember wherever there is Happiness in Life, there will be Sorrow. To get Happiness, you must master Sorrow. For Success in Life; Believe in Self and God, Learn from Past, Concentrate in Present, Plan for Future. Have control on, be the master of, not the slave of your body, senses, and mind. Purpose of this Life is to Gain and Share utmost Knowledge and Experience to differentiate and choose Right, Good, God against Wrong, Bad, Devil. Set your Desire level perfect or OK to be brave, no low to be coward, no high to be cruel. You have rights of Survival, Self Defence, and Freedom.
2007-10-21 23:42:08 · answer #7 · answered by Ravi Lohia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God forgives EVERYTHING. And sadly enough, it's true, that there are christians and churches in the world who aren't forgiving the way Jesus says we should be, buuut that's because they ARE still people with their own sin and their own crap ya know? But God will forgive ANYONE for ANYTHING if they are repentant, and WANT to be forgiven and mean it.
2007-10-20 11:40:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being sorry and forgiving someone doesn't mean they still shouldn't be punished. Many say, "Forgiveness in it's true form restores trust for the one you have forgiven."... some don't believe that. I believe in the Nazarene denomination it's an unforgivable sin to tell God he's unneeded and forsake him intentionally.
It's hard to decide who's sincere and who isn't when they ask for forgiveness. Only God can decide who has a true heart.
But a God, with infinite foresight, creates a hell that many of his 'loved' creations are going to go to... still creates them knowing they are damned to eternal pain and sorrow. That doesn't sound to forgiving and loving to me in the first place.
I think everyone needs to make the right choice between what they believe and what common sense tells them. A infinate loving God shouldn't react by saying someone has no chance... he created us, he knows how fickle we can be at times. ^^
2007-10-20 10:45:01 · answer #9 · answered by shotindustries 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he truly repented for his sins to God then yes, he deserves, and gets another chance from God. Only that guy knows if he was true when he repented or if he is just putting on a show now.
2007-10-20 10:42:42 · answer #10 · answered by Guido~CdubZ 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋