Does God forgive big sin? Will God forgive things like murder?
Many people believe God will only forgive some sins but not others. Yet 1 John 2:2 teaches, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." Christ's death and resurrection are powerful enough to forgive any sin of any person. John 3:16 is clear, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God can save any person and forgive anyone who believes in Him.
The Bible is filled with examples of God's forgiveness regarding sins people often think are too big to be forgiven. For example, Saul persecuted the early church, arrested Christians, and even approved of the murder of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 8:1). Yet God forgave his sins and this man later became known as Paul and wrote nearly half the books of the New Testament.
The criminal crucified next to Jesus on the cross is another important example. He was being put to death for his crimes, yet recognized Jesus and asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus answered, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Mary Magdalene, one of the early followers of Jesus and one of the women who first saw the risen Christ, was a woman who had been possessed by seven spirits (Luke 8:2). Some of those Peter preached to who became Christians were also those who were involved in the crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:36).
Peter, a leader among the early followers of Jesus, denied knowing Him three times on the night Jesus was arrested. Yet Jesus soon reaffirmed His love for Peter and challenged Him to serve in "feeding His sheep" (John 21:15-19). Despite every disciple abandoning Jesus on the night He was arrested, God continued to use His followers as those who led the early church (Acts 2).
But what about murder? Does God even forgive this sin? He did in the life of King David, a man who intentionally placed the husband of Bathsheba on the front lines for him to be killed (2 Samuel 12:13). There were still consequences for David's actions, but his sin was forgiven. Again, God's forgiveness is not limited by the size of the sin. He can forgive sins, whether we view them as large or small, when we ask for forgiveness and place our trust in Him.
Ultimately, it is not the size of the sin that determines the forgiveness of sin but the size of God's love. He provided a perfect solution to sin through His Son Jesus Christ, offering salvation to all who believe in Him by faith.
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