When Christ prayed from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), was He saying He forgives unrepentant people?
1. If a believer had killed Jesus with full knowledge of who Christ was, there could be no forgiveness (Hebrews 6:4-6).
2. But the Roman soldiers and jealous Jewish leaders didn't understand what they were doing (Acts 3:17).
3. If one of those responsible for his death later understood who Christ was, they would probably think their salvation was impossible. Perhaps that's why Christ forgave that particular sin from the cross.(1)
4. But any of those forgiven of that sin would most certainly repent of it if they later came to Christ. Repentance is a non-negotiable step in our salvation (Matthew 4:17; Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20; 1 John 1:9-10).(2)
Why is it important to understand this concept? Because some people teach that this passage proves Christ forgives and saves everyone, whether they repent or not.(3)
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Footnotes:
(1) It's very likely that some of the soldiers who crucified Christ later came to believe in Him (Matthew 27:54). I imagine His words from the cross assured them they could be saved. The Apostle Paul also committed violent acts against Christ before his conversion (Acts 9:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:13).
(2) After we become Christians, we should repent whenever we sin. However, believers need not worry that they won’t go to heaven if they die before they are able to repent of some sin because believers’ sins (past, present, and future) are completely covered by the death of Christ (Colossians 2:13-14).
(3) The popular book The Shack teaches this error. On page 225, the Shack god says, “In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose relationship.”
Read more here: Why Did Jesus Say "Father, Forgive Them"
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Personal question : I have an ex husband that was very cruel verbally to our oldest daughter. she refuses to speak to him and visa versa. He is a christian, but she is not. He is very legalistic and believes he was in the right. I was in the middle, but very afraid of any repercussions from him, so unfortunately, I said nothing while the abuse was going on, because he did it to me too. I am a Christian and have since apologized to her. She wants nothing to do with Jesus now. Why did he do this to her and I but not the younger two children? He now tries to keep the youngest from visiting me when this one is also here. How should I act? Why do you think he does/did this? His dad did the same to his sister...will our son behave that way too if he has children?
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
DeleteI'm sorry for your situation. It sounds like it was very difficult for you and your daughter.
It's hard to know why someone chooses to hurt another person. Perhaps the only answer is that we are sinners. If your husband is genuinely following Christ, he is probably not listening to the Holy Spirit's conviction in this area. I would encourage you to pray that he will begin to see what he is doing.
You've done the right things to ask your daughter's forgiveness, and I encourage you to keep loving her and I even encourage you to repeat your apology from time to time if she needs to be assured that you regret what was done to her. Perhaps as you continue to show her your love, she will open up to Jesus.
No, I don't think you need to worry about your son. Your husband's father made the wrong choice and your husband made the wrong choice. But your son can make the right choice, especially if he knows the Lord.
God bless you, Jen.
Again, I am sorry for your suffering.
This is amazing. You are so on target. We are finally coming out of the fog of lies and deception that the church has unknowingly embraced on many subjects and especially this topic. God bless you are you for doing the foot work for us busy Christians. This is so encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI have a prayer request for my son and husband to come back to the Lord. Also my husband and I are looking to relocate and find a house and I ask him we need to pray about it that the Lord will open the doors and lead us but praying for that never happens I go and have quite time with my Lord and ask for guidance. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI lift up your husband and son and pray that they both will find the Lord. And may you understand God's guidance with your house. In Jesus Name.
DeleteMine is a question instead is it OK to say I don't fear God but I respect and trust in Him but I'm weary of the enemy please advise.
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose it really matters the exact words you use if you understand the meaning. There is an unhealthy kind of fear and Scripture says God's love "casts out" that kind of fear. But the Bible uses "fear" in both Old and New Testaments to describe our devotion to God. It goes beyond respect and trust in that it means we understand the power and purity and glory of our God and how small we are in comparison and how easily He could destroy us but chooses to show us mercy. If fear has only negative connotations for you, then I would use "stand in awe" or "revere above all things" to describe this particular aspect of our relationship with God. But, it's important to note that God looks at hearts and we shouldn't be superstitious about the exact words we use.
DeletePlease pray for me my wife left me for another man and my son killed himself august 29, will God convict my wife with the holy spirit of what she is doing? I've been asking God for marriage restoration
ReplyDeleteDear Michael, I am so sorry for your situation. I've prayed for you, and I ask you to please seek God for help and comfort. He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
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