Forgive

When you read the name Ted Bundy does your mind remember the horror that he left behind in his wake of rape, kidnapping, and murder. The lives he not only took but the lives he destroyed in his acts of selfishness for his own personal pleasures. The night he was executed (January 24, 1989) there were many outside the prison voicing their opinions. Waving signs of hate and cheered when the words came "he is dead." Should he have been punished for his acts? The answer is sure but then the question comes to light should this man be forgiven for his awful deeds to so many?  Some may answer this question as no, never but this thing about forgiveness becomes a big matter. Many will not forgive themselves and others can’t forgive others for the wrongs done unto them. God forgave King David for murder; the Lord Jesus forgave the thief that was beside Him that day on Calvary. I was reading and came across these verses that were able to help me understand this matter about forgiveness.

1Corinthians 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Corinthians 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul takes the time to help us he says I want you to know that wicked people won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Then he names a bunch of things for instance sexual sins, worshiping false God, those who commit adultery, thieves, those that are greedy, those that use abusive language and drunkards for a few. We might say “amen” to that list. But it’s the next verse that we must read.
1Corinthains 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Wait a minute did that say that’s what some of you were? Yes, now step outside of the box and look at it. Paul uses the word “were” past tense for to be; so something has changed? What was it “but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

 Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  It’s because of the Lord Jesus that you and I can be washed, sanctified and justified. Therefore we are no longer what we were or could have been. I personally didn’t have to forgive Ted Bundy or any other serial killer but I have had to forgive others who have done hateful and awful things to me and my family. I could only have done that through the Lord Jesus Christ, for He forgave me of all never to be remembered no more.

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. God says I choose not to remember their sins. Are we willing to do the same? Make that decision and choose not to remember?