While having a discussion, someone said that if you ask for forgiveness for your sins and transgressions, God will only forgive you one time.  My belief is that even if you live your whole life sinning – and at the end, if you ask and believe, God will forgive you, and you will go to heaven.  Who's right?

Sincerely,
Limitless Forgiveness

Dear Limitless Forgiveness,

God will forgive you more than one time.  John says that as we walk in the light, we have fellowship with Jesus, and He cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).  The apostle John also said that if we confess our sins, we will be forgiven (1 Jn 1:9).  The number of times a christian will do that in their lifetime is without number.  Of course, these verses apply to those who already have become christians.  If you have not yet become a christian, there is more to it than simply confessing your sins.

In the book of Acts, we see what it takes to become a christian.  When Peter was asked by the Jews what they needed to do to be saved (Acts 2:37), Peter told them they needed to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Everyone who wants to become a christian must be baptized to be saved (Mk 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21).  After repenting of your sins (‘repent’ means ‘change your mind’), the lost person is fully immersed in water and buried with Christ through baptism (Rom 6:4).  Once someone is baptized for forgiveness of their sins, they are a christian.  Then the continual cleansing described in First John would apply.

I am wondering if you could offer a biblical answer to the following confusion I have had over the topic of sin and whether it is forgotten by God as Heb 8:12 would indicate.  Or will we have to account for all of our life's sins on the Judgement Day and have them forgiven if we have obeyed God's Word?  I have heard entire sermons preached on how we will have to give an account for every word and action before God on the Day of Judgement.  I looked for the scripture to back this up, but I could not find it to reference in my question.  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Keeping A Tally

Dear Keeping A Tally,

We will all need to answer for the lives that we lead on this earth, but christians will not be judged for their sins; instead, they will be forgiven.  God says that everyone will give an account to Him for the life that they lead (Rom 14:12).  In fact, in the case of elders, they will give account for not only themselves, but also for the congregation they were to watch over (Heb 13:17).  The Scriptures teach that we will all face God on the Judgment Day (Heb 9:27).

However, christians will not be judged when they give account; they will be forgiven (Jhn 3:18, Lk 6:37).  For us, it will be a joyous day when we go home to our Father and are finally free of the burdens of this life.  Through Jesus, we can come to the Father without fear (Jhn 14:6).

The Bible says that Jesus said, "No one gets to the Father except through me", which I have been taught means if you don't believe God is the Father and Jesus is His Son, you don't/won't go to heaven.

My question is: does this mean that three quarters of the world's population (non-christians, Jews, Mormons, the Dalai Lama, etc.) who don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God aren't going to heaven?  It doesn't seem to me that the God I believe in would let this happen.

Sincerely,
Sympathy For The Masses

Dear Sympathy For The Masses,

The verse you are referring to is Jhn 14:6.  Here is a great example of a fork in the road for christians.  Will we take the Bible at face value and accept what God says, or will we ignore certain verses in order to mold God into an image that is more suitable for us?  You are absolutely right; there is no mistaking the implications of Jhn 14:6.  All that do not follow Christ will not be saved.  In fact, there are other verses that re-emphasize this message.  Jesus said that the way to salvation was narrow, and the way to destruction was wide (Matt 7:13).  He also says that many people will erroneously claim to have served God and will be turned away on the Judgment Day (Matt 7:22-23).

These verses do exclude large swaths of mankind from heaven.  However, if we believe the Bible to be God’s infallible Word (and we here at AYP do – read “Who Wrote The Bible” to see why we are so convinced), then we must accept that the same loving God who would send His own Son to die for our sins has a very good reason for being so picky about who goes to heaven.  Remember, God doesn’t condemn people to hell; it is our sinful choices that does that (Rom 6:23).  Jehovah offers us salvation through His Son, even though we deserve death (Jhn 3:16).

(This question is a follow up to “Paradise Lost” – AYP)

I was saved when I was about thirteen and was baptized in the Methodist church when I was fifteen.  I hope this doesn’t offend you.  As I grew up, you know every boy and girl has hormones. I became an addict to pornography and sexual sin.  I was born with a nerve disease and have been disabled since I was a teenager.  I never had a girlfriend when I was growing up and have never been on a date with a woman.  I have been battling with my porn addiction for a long time.  I think I am finally cured from sexual sin.  I have been praying about it and reading my Bible a lot.  I am now 48-years-old and now in a wheelchair.  I am just terrified that I have lost my salvation and that I’m going to hell.  All the preachers I ask all say different things.  I have prayed about it and told God my fears, but I’m still terrified about this.  I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Sincerely,
Where To Now?

Dear Where To Now,

You definitely can be forgiven of your sins.  Jesus preached to prostitutes and others who had committed countless sins (Matt 21:31).  God does require repentance of sin (you can’t just continue in an ungodly lifestyle), but you can be forgiven (Acts 3:19).  You have had a rather unsteady past when it comes to religion.  We would like you to consider that as you attempt to wipe the slate clean of previous habits, that you also wipe the slate clean of previous religious assumptions.

We here at AYP want you to learn what the Bible says and nothing more.  When considering salvation, how to live, what church to attend, and various other religious questions – who cares what man thinks?!  The Bible contains everything you need to know concerning life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).  The Gospel is God’s tool to teach you about salvation (Rom 1:16).  Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Mormon, etc. doctrine has no bearing on your salvation.  Only God’s Word can guide you to heaven.  We recommend you read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” and “Finding The Church” very carefully and continue to ask questions.  Don’t pay attention to what we say; pay attention to the verses we cite in our answers.  The Scriptures are not a matter of personal interpretation (2 Pet 1:21).  The Scriptures are here, so all can see God’s Will any time they read the Word (2 Pet 1:15).  If you have further questions (and we hope you do!), continue to ask them and accept only answers fully supported by the Scriptures.

Why do Baptists believe in eternal security and the Methodist don’t?

Sincerely,
Pondering The Protestants

Dear Pondering The Protestants,

The idea of ‘eternal security’ is a doctrine accepted by many of today’s Protestant churches.  Eternal security is the teaching that once you are saved, you can never be lost.  It is based off of the teachings of John Calvin (read “Calvin And Sobs” for a more in-depth look at the doctrine of Calvinism).  Methodists don’t subscribe to that teaching, but the Baptists do.  Although, neither the Baptists nor the Methodists are God’s church, in this case, the Methodists are right.

God very clearly teaches that someone can lose their salvation.  Heb. 3:12 tells us to be watchfull, or we will fall away from the living God.  Heb 6:4-6 talks about those who crucify Christ again.  Even after someone has been enlightened and tasted the blessings of salvation, they can fall away.  You have the freedom to choose or reject God (Mk 7:9).  1^st Corinthians chapter five is an entire chapter dedicated to someone who had turned his back on God and had once again immersed himself in a life of sin.  Even the apostle Paul said that he himself had to live faithfully or face rejection (1 Cor 9:26-27).  We will only be eternally secure when we get to heaven; until then, continue to fight the good fight.  Live so that on your deathbed, you can say what Paul did – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7-8)