Don't be tempted to stop listening as soon as you hear the bad news at the beginning of this message, because there is good news - very good news - that comes after it.
Haven't you heard that God forgives everybody? Many people like to believe and even teach that - BUT GOD DOES NOT!
God has made it very clear throughout the history of mankind that He will NOT forgive everyone! (1st Samuel 15:1-3. 17-35.) And Jesus clearly taught that many people would NOT be forgiven by God. (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-27.)
I wonder is this bad news for you? Were you counting on God turning out to be soft on sin and giving in to sinners by letting them all into Heaven? What sort of god would that be? - Unholy and unjust!
But the God of Heaven has made a way that He will be able to forgive some sinners, and yet remain Holy and Just. (Romans 5:6-11.) This short talk on Jesus' teaching leaves us in no doubt about whom God forgives, and why.
In a happy family if a child got some terrible disease, the parents would still love that child very much. They would give that child much care and attention and do everyting they could to have the child healed. If the child died from the disease it would not be because of the parents lack of love or concern.
God certainly does not lack love or concern for sinful mankind. He has said, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked," (Ezekiel 33:11.) and He is "not wanting any to perish." (2nd Peter 3:9.) "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (verses 16-17.)
Here was the only way the Holy and Just God could punish sin and rescue the sinner at the same time. (Romans 3:19-26.) He sent His perfect Son into our world so that He could become the sinless sacrifice for our sins. (1st Peter 2:24. 3:18. 2nd Corinthians 5:21.)
Here then is the good news: Jesus said, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned." (verse 18.) So, those are the people whom God forgives.
But God will not forgive everyone, because NOT EVERYONE WILL BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THEIR ONLY HOPE OF SALVATION. Many put their hope and trust in their religion, or their good works, or the sacraments, instead of in Jesus ALONE.
Jesus said, "Whoever does not believe (in Him) stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (verse 18)
So, there is only one sin that can keep you out of Heaven! Do you know what that is? It is the sin of NOT TRUSTING IN JESUS to forgive all your sins. (John 3:36.) You see, every other sin can be forgiven and taken from your life by faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 1:3-8. 1st John 1:7 - 2:2.)
Beware! Don't be, tempted to believe that God will forgive everyone. God will CONDEMN EVERYONE, except those who will have put their trust in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be their only Priest and Saviour. (Acts 4:12. Ephesians 2:12-13.)
Read about the people whom God forgives in John's Gospel chapter 3, verses 16-18.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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