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So, you can commit genocide, perform terrorist acts, dismember children? As Martin Luther said you can ‘commit a thousand whoredoms’ etc., etc. and as long as you ask forgiveness sometime before you die, no problem. That sounds like a pretty poor system of morals to me. You’re
asking how a person can commit heinous crimes and still be forgiven? It
does seem an amazing thing – that’s why they call grace amazing! If
God were to give each of us exactly what we deserve, no-one would get to
heaven. Admittedly Hitler did terrible things. But I’m sure that if he
was given a hearing Hitler would argue that he wasn’t as bad a person
as Pol Pot or Stalin, or Fred West even. Do you know why I believe
he’d do that? He employed a driver 5’1” tall so he would look
bigger on photos. We all make comparisons with other people which end up
with us looking better. If
God is a holy God, He cannot have sin in His presence. Think of a glass
of purified water. If there was a filter that could purify water to
100%, then how much sewage would it take to make that water impure? Half
the glass? A drop? No matter how small or how large the amount of sewage
added, the water is no longer pure. No matter how small or how big the
sin, God would not be holy if He allowed it in His presence. (see James
2:10) The
Bible presents God as an all-loving Father. Who doesn’t want a God
like that? However, some people fail to realise that He is also a
God who demands justice. He wouldn't be loving if He didn't demand such
high standards. However, He knew we, people he loved, his lost
sheep, his prodigals, his missed-ones- couldn't make the grade. We were
in danger! So He sent His Son to live the perfect life, then take our
penalty in our stead. This satisfies God’s requirements for justice
and allows us the opportunity to again come into fellowship with Him. Earlier a questioner used the term ‘fair.’ Now, you may be thinking, ‘but that's not fair.’ And fair is an interesting term. It is a term that humans use frequently...but I honestly cannot recall a single instance in Scripture where God is described as "fair." He is described as perfect, just, all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful...but not fair. But when it comes to the question of standing before a holy God- I don’t want fair! I don’t want what’s coming to me. I don’t want what I deserve; I need forgiveness and a fresh start, and that’s exactly what Christians believe God offers to anyone who will just receive it.
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