Question:  Let’s say there is a guy who has been a sinner his entire life and done horrible things to innocent people throughout his life over years and years.   He’s never had an ounce of faith at any point in his life. Then one day he finds out he’s sick and dying and gets scared, so he “finds God” and prays for forgiveness.  How could this guy be saved that easy? Is it that easy that a lifetime of sin can be reversed by just finding God and asking for forgiveness? I believe that God is forgiving but it bothers me when I hear stories about criminals who say they’ve found God and they’re excused from there ways. It seems not very sincere to me what do you think?  Submitted by:   GB

Response by:  Patrick Riecke, Pastor @ Triple Pointe Church, Fort Wayne

Great question.  Although we know that God can forgive anything, we struggle to accept his forgiveness of others at times.  It’s a little like the older brother in the story of the Lost Son in Luke 15.  When the younger brother (who matches the description of the criminals you describe) comes home, the Dad rejoices and throws a party.  All is forgiven in an instant after a long time of doing wrong things. 

The older brother is upset by this.  But the father’s response is, “We have to celebrate because this brother of yours was lost and is found.  He was dead and is alive again.”

There are certainly times when a person is insincere in their turning to God, but only God knows the heart.

It’s not ‘that easy’, but Christ’s blood is enough for even the worst sinners.

Response by: Don Wismer, Pastor @ Connexion, Fort Wayne

Great question GB. One of the first things we need to remember is that we are all sinners our entire lives. Even Mother Theresa was a sinner; we all fall short and do things we shouldn't do even when we know better. We also don't do the things we know we should be doing. This is nothing new, read the Apostle Paul's thoughts on this very topic in Romans Chapter #7.

The other thing, is that we can't judge the intentions of another persons heart. Is their conversion for real? Did they really have a spiritual awakening? Only God can make that determination. But know this, God will not be fooled or mocked. If a person is proclaiming a relationship with God as a way to win favor with others or for any reason other than a true repentance and change of heart, God will know, God will be just and fair to all persons.

I remember reading that Jeffrey Dahmer claimed to find Christ while incarcerated. If this was a true spiritual conversion, then those of us who claim Christ as our Savior will see Jeffrey in Heaven. Is it fair? Maybe not, at least according to our human standards, but in the economy of God it makes perfect sense. God's grace is truly amazing; it's scandalous and beyond our understanding. 

You mention being forgiven by God and the criminal being 'excused from their ways.' I don't think they are one and the same. We can be forgiven for whatever sin we commit, but there are consequences for those sins, or crimes in this case, that linger on. God desires to forgive persons when they come to him with a changed heart and spirit. A criminal can be forgiven and still be held responsible for their crimes; being held accountable for the harm they have caused.