Southland Global Missions of WV - Will God Forgive Any Sin?

WILL GOD FORGIVE ANY SIN?

Watchman: 1/3/2012 Billy Blankenship

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The question asked: Will God forgive any sin? Some will be quick to say: "Yes, with the exception of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost". But is that all together true? Could there be more sins that He could, or would not, forgive? If so, what are they?

What is the worst sin? Would it be adultery? Will God forgive such sins? Do you remember the scriptures, when Jesus said He must go to Samaria? Notice one of the most touching scriptures in the Bible. Jesus actually speaks to a divorced woman. Wasn't that terrible? How many people have quit even thinking about asking God today for Salvation today, after being told by some preacher, "there is no hope for the divorced"? Really?

This will be perhaps the shortest message I have written in some time, but I think it important to let the Church see, what God is looking for today in our lives. It isn't just our talents and great gifts, abilities, and winning personality! There is a far more sinister and dangerous sin, that is sucking the very spiritual life out of many Christians today. What is it?

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John: 4:4...And he must needs go through Samaria.

16...Jesus saith unto her, go call thy husband, and come hither.

17...The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband.

18...For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

27...And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? Or, Why talkest thou with her?

29...Come. see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?

30...Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

We now ask the question: Did Jesus forgive this woman? Did He rebuke her for her (five) husbands? The man she was then staying with, was not her husband, who knows who he was? Did Jesus go out of His way to go through Samaria, and then damn her to Hell? The disciples wanted to know: "why are you talking with this woman"? Would they have talked with her? I doubt it! The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. I believe the reason for this important story is: Jesus wanted to show just how far He would go out of the way, to win a soul! Her background? Certainly not good! What ever her reasons for marrying five times, sounded much like our society today. Jesus wanted to show you and I, to what length He will go to win a precious soul. Will we do the same? Amen?

Where are you at today in your life of sin? Does it look hopeless? Do you say: "I have gone to far, and stooped to low, for even God to care for me"? We know in this case that adultery was involved, but things always change when a person comes in contact with Jesus! Any one, who has ever come in contact with Jesus Christ, their life will never be the same again! They may stop serving God, but, the one brief contact they had with the Master, if they were "really saved" will never be forgotten.

I am sure by now, that some well meaning Christian is ready to give me all the scriptures on divorce, some found in Mark, 10: 2-9 and rightly so, but, what if someone doesn't know "Tiddly" about Mark 10:2-9? Would Jesus be interested in them? Jesus is a very compassionate person, and, loves us "mistakes-sins and all". NO, He doesn't love our sin, but He does love us enough to deliver us from our sin, if we will only ask.

I backslid when about 20 years old, and I "then had some of the most horrible experiences in my life, for nearly (sixteen years"!) But never in those 16 years of running from God, did "I ever forget" the tenderness, and blessings I once had while serving Him. I lived a life of sin, discouraged, depressed, angry, full of hate, bitterness, drunkenness, (and you name it), but I always remembered the time when the Good Shepherd had loved me, and held me in His arms as one of His little ones! Did Jesus forgive me again when I ask? Yes! Yes! Jesus forgives sin.

But the question we ask in the beginning of this message is: Does Jesus forgive all sin? Does He? In the book of John, we have another story of Christ's love for sinners. John 8^th Chapter 3-11.. We see Jesus forgiving a woman who had been taken in the very act of adultery. (Of course it takes two to have an affair). After the Scribes bring the accusation of the woman to Jesus, and saying: "Moses said she should be stoned, what do you say"?

Jesus said: those of you without sin, cast the first stone. When they all left sheepishly, Jesus said: 11...Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.

Jesus was not minimizing the sin of adultery, but showing again His willingness to forgive, for He said: Go and sin no more (meaning that adultery is a sin!) What about the thief on the cross, he was just that, a thief, but in His last act of compassion, Jesus said: "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise". So, we see, Jesus forgives thieves! Thank God! One more, before I get to the real subject matter of this message.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He told Peter, that he would deny him three times! Of course Peter knew that He was wrong, and said so! Later in the story, Peter had already "denied" the Lord twice, and was getting ready to do it again.

Matt. 26:74...Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75...And Peter remembered the word of Jesus.

Did Jesus forgive Peter for swearing and denying Him? Of course He did. So, we see adultery, thieving, denying the Lord, and the many thousands of sins you and I have committed, along with all the sins of this sinful world, God has forgiven, to those who have asked in true repentance. But, there is still one more, that I want you to think about seriously. Your Salvation could hinge on this one!

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To those that are quick to say: Bless God, I believe the bible from the beginning to the end! Do you now? If so, check out the next few scriptures, and see if you fit anywhere into the Teachings of Jesus! Remember also, the following verses are not suggestions, but commands!

Jesus said: Matthew 6:14...For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will my heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.

Jesus said: Mark 11:25...And when you stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your heavenly Father also which is in heaven may forgive ye your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.

It is a sad thing as we go throughout our daily lives, to see professing Christians that will neither speak-or, give you a courteous hello! Something has ticked them off as you can see. They hold grudges, bitterness, envy, jealously, preference and respect of persons, still yet, go through their little ritual each week of singing for Jesus, fellowshipping with the Saints, and speaking to those "they" choose to speak with.

To shun other Christians, you have to be mad over something! What was it that "some person" did to you? Do you hold them up in prayer, and "forgive" them for whatever it is they have done to upset you, (if they have done anything at all) when you are praying to your heavenly Father? You don't! Jesus said in essence, you are wasting your time with all of your special prayers! Read it again!! But, if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses.

I say this with shame, but it is true! I have seen more forgiveness, more compassion, kindness, and a helpful attitude among some sinners, whither they be "alcoholics", "Pill pushers", or, just a plain lost sinner, than many professing "Christians"!

You don't know what they have said about me, some say! Well praise the Lord, you will live through it all! A good Christian told me recently: "I want to be respected, I believe that people ought to respect me, I am a Christian"! I said: Well good for you! Jesus was never respected by the world! He was lied on-made fun of-even ridiculed for eating with sinners, but he never became bitter and mean, and refused to speak to others. And, He was not afraid that "His good be evil spoken off"!

There is only ONE way that you are going to get your prayers answered dear Christian, if you have bitterness, jealousy, and an unforgiving heart. Singing won't do it! Playing music in the Church won't do it! Going to Church every time the doors are opened won't do it! Paying your tithes won't do it! You must follow the bible way, you know, the one "you said you believed from beginning to end"!

Luke 6:37...Forgive and ye shall be forgiven:

You ONLY get forgiveness "when you forgive"! Jesus said so! When speaking of the unjust steward, Jesus cut no corners on the unforgiving master. Listen to the words that Jesus said:

Matthew 18:34...And his Lord was wroth (mad) and delivered him to the tormenters, till he should pay all that was due him.

35...So likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you, IF YE FROM YOUR HEARTS FORGIVE NOT "EVERYONE HIS BROTHER" THEIR TRESPASSES! {emphasis mine}

There is a big difference in forgiving someone with your mouth, and not forgiving them from your heart! Peter asked the question once, apparently he had a "mad on" with some of the brothers. Remember dear friend, these scriptures are not put in the Bible to just fill the pages! They are "instructions" for you and I to live by, and to obey!

Matthew 18:21...Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22...Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Oh, the games we try to play at times! Jesus is very concerned about the attitude of forgiveness! All else is play acting! Now we will ask one of the most important questions you have ever asked perhaps! If you will not forgive, will you be lost? It will be between you and God to answer this question. If you refuse to forgive others as Jesus has said, if you won't forgive, MY HEAVENLY FATHER "WILL NOT" FORGIVE YOU! Is it necessary for you to pray each night, and ask God to forgive you for the things you have done (or didn't do) that day? Are you concerned with keeping "short accounts" with God, by asking each day for God to forgive You?

Will He do it? Luke 6:37...Forgive and ye shall be forgiven. What if you don't forgive? What if you nurse that grudge, bitterness, jealousy, a pouting attitude, or, perhaps some "terrible" wrong that someone did to you, will God still listen to you in (your needs)? I repeat again:

Mark 11:25...And when you stand praying forgive, if ye have ought against any. That covers it all! If you have something against ANYONE, you must forgive, and that FROM YOUR HEART, and not just from your mouth!

Dear reader, to you it might not be a "big deal" as you slight, shun, refuse to speak, or show forgiveness to others! But to God, it is a "big deal"! If you have these things in your heart, you need to pray and ask God to remove them for you. Ask Him for His help! Tell Him the truth, that you have a hard time forgiving others (regardless of the circumstances). Rest assured, that based on the Word of God, if you will not forgive others, Jesus said: that His Father will NOT forgive you!

Is it worth it? Would you want to go all through life playing Church, and be completely deceived into thinking, that God is answering all of your prayers and needs, when you won't FORGIVE others?

I am going to close with this scripture. I don't know who this message is for, but if you have un-forgiveness in your heart, IT IS FOR YOU!!

Ephesians 4:32...And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I assure you dear (listner) reader, you will not be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving, if you have the sins of bitterness, jealousy, and are always holding grudges in your heart. (and you will know it if it is there!) Ask God right now before you forget this message, to delivery you from all of these sins, (yes, bitterness, hatred, un-forgiveness, is a sin!) Ask the Lord to restore the joy and peace in your life again, for you will NEVER have true peace, with un-forgiveness in your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to check your heart daily, and, to reveal to you these wicked sins of the heart.

He will remove the chains that bind you, and restore your usefulness to Him. God seldom uses a bitter, angry person! A Christians life, is a life of forgiveness, as Paul said: .even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. If this message has made you angry, you definitely have a problem! My prayer is, that God will restore, bless, forgive you, and use you to help others with the same problem.. AS GOD FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU!

May the peace of God possess your life, and, may you be used greatly in His Kingdom, as you share with others the "Forgiveness" of a wonderful Savior.

If we can be of any further help, please don't hesitate to email us at the address below, and, may God richly bless you, as "you follow Him"!

An unworthy Servant

Brother: Billy Blankenship

Email address: globaloutreach2@msn.com

Web Site: www.sigm.net