Can I Be Forgiven on My Deathbed?

We forgive them on my deathbed. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

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Here's a voicemail from one of our listeners in Philadelphia and generational curse. I really like you to counteract my enemies Carol happening now family and around the alarm back in kind to yourself and I hope that anything like that. They broken into. I really love she pray for that at a cell hey Lynn, thank you for that for that question yeah may the Lord be with. We we we were recently broken into and and this couple camera stolen some computers about we continue to pray for the people that broken that the Lord would would cause his grace to break through into their lives that they would come to repentance. Now, with regard to your question Lynn are generational curses around today. I think usually you know it when people bring this up there thinking of some sort of spiritual affliction that passes you know from from the mother or the father to their children and so on and so forth that I think it is very clear that when it comes to addictive behaviors that there is, I think it started handing down that we see and and can see in some of it is is nature, some of it is is nurture, but I think it's good to be aware of those kinds of things we want to be careful that we don't over spiritualize this one thing I will say is that the Bible does speak of generational curse that comes to every single person through Adam are our our representative if you will, outside of Christ. The Bible teaches in Romans chapter 5 through Adam's sin and death spread to the entire human race. That's the generational curse.

I think that that people need to understand and recognize and and find the remedy for the remedy is Jesus Christ. Paul in Galatians chapter 3 said that Jesus became a curse for us when he was hanging on the cross, that is, he bore the curse for our sins so that we would no longer be cursed. And so for those who are concerned afraid oh man is this is this curse of generational curse looming over me.

Let me just say that if you are united to Jesus Christ by faith. You are a child of the true and the living God in Christ has borne your curse so that you can have freedom now that doesn't mean that our families are parents in a sins that they struggled with her, or actively engaged and that doesn't affect us and didn't affect us as a child and I think it's important to get help mio spiritual help care maybe even therapy and in working through some of those things but but there isn't. This I think looming generational curse. And in that sense over you. Your free in Jesus Christ and so God bless you Lynn and thank you for giving us a call right counsel. Thank you for that. It really know that's a question that a lot of our listeners have had a specially if there's a lot of pain and grief in their family background and their wondering boy might set up for that in the future, and certainly there's a Lotta prayer that is to go into situations like that. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and we want to say thank you to a group of wonderful people who support this program on a regular basis. They are called, our inner core that were pretty excited. Maybe you've heard working to be joining many of our inner core members and in not that many days from now. April 13 at 8 PM Eastern time, 5 PM Pacific were we sent out an invitation to join us for a virtual meeting where you can ask questions about the Christian faith.

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We would love to have you be part of that virtual meeting with a drill as he answers your questions tells you little bit about the organization and cut of the back story of core Christianity. So if you haven't joined the inner core yet wanted to do that right now you can go to our website to find out more, just go to core Christianity.com/inner core just all one word core, Christianity.com/inner core. To learn more about becoming an inner core member and joining us on April 13 as a drill said for that special online meeting it's can be really really cool. We do receive voicemails here at core Christianity and you're welcome to call us 24 hours a day with your question. Here's our phone number if Aquatech and live calls right now as well for the next 15 minutes or so, so now's the time to jump on the phone if you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine theology how your Christian walk intersects with what's happening in today's culture were open to all questions. 833. The core is the number 1-833-843-2673 jump on the phone right now let's go to a voicemail.

This is one of our listeners named zany. I know I'm calling from California. My question, it is the person making evil things, day in day out, and then when he is dying, or his son deathbed he asked for forgiveness of all high zany. The simple answer to your question is yes. I mean, if somebody truly comes to repentance on their deathbed, they will be welcomed by the Lord. Now none of us not that I don't want anybody eliciting right if they go well I'll just turn to God when I'm when I'm getting ready to die, do my own thing now and I think that that's what many people say to themselves that would be foolish. We don't know what the future holds and there is is hardening the fact that Satan has honest blinding him in blinding us from the truth of God, in his goodness, his glory, and so so can somebody see the light on their deathbed absolutely editing the example that oftentimes people will go to is Luke chapter 23 the thief on the cross.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, are you not the Christ, save yourself and us.

But the other rebuked him, saying, do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation, and we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. It's very clear that there is this business repentance here that the thief on the cross is a liquid. We will recognize what we've done is is is wrong and in this person is innocent and he said Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom and Jesus said to him, truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. As is any doubt that the the thing that we have to realize is that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ here that it can extend to an individual, even of a violent criminal who in with their final breath is crying out to God for mercy.

If they're turning to the Lord and God's, God's grace does even extend to them.

But let's not be presumptuous. I II think for for many people as I already mentioned, they assume that they'll just sort of get right with God.

Later in life a minute to live my life the way that I want to live right now do the things that I want to do that I know are contrary to what the Bible teaches have my fun quote unquote and then maybe later I'll add some religion to my life once once it looks like you know I don't need these things anymore will here with the author to the Hebrews said in Hebrews chapter 3 verse seven. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. On the day of testing in the wilderness when your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years. Therefore, I was provoked with that generation, and said they always go astray in their heart they have not known my ways as I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest. Take care brothers must there be any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God today right now is the day of salvation. Don't put it off. Don't don't don't say all you know it when I get to my deathbed. That's when I'm in a call out to God you don't know what today holds, what tomorrow holds. Right now you hear the truth of the gospel that Christ died for your sin so that you might be forgiven, embrace it, receive it, trust in him and follow him.

That's were all called to do and not to put that often.

So thank you for your question sister and and may the Lord bless you your listing to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We are always open to your calls. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. You can call us for the next 15 minutes or so at this number 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. We also received emails here and many people emailing their questions at questions at core, Christianity.com there's one from Robert in regards to predestination.

Romans three 1011 says there is no one righteous, and nobody has the ability in their sin nature to seek God and do good if Adam many before the fall were innocent and free of evil.

How were they able to do evil by disobeying God knew he was just God gave them free choice and the sin had not entered the world yet, but they were in this sort of probationary period there in the garden of Eden where God called them to obey his word to be fruitful and and to multiply to fill the earth, if you will with the glory of the Lord with the image of God reflected in perfect love and beauty and not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Well what happened. They turned away they rebelled.

They sinned against God, and because they sinned against God. Death entered the world and corruption and then sin, and in we've been feeling the effect of that ever since. And so Paul talks about in Romans five verses 12 and following, but the simple answers that were left of the that the freedom of their wills and and chose to reject God's law that they turned away from it and so thank you for that question Less your listing to core Christianity let's go to Miguel from old Arkansas Miguel, what's your question for pastor. Israel questionnaires new Christianity really great.

What a load is described in the whole Bible on the whole Bible is written.

Do we really teach what Jesus taught us that we are asking Miguel me out well, look at Jesus said when he sent his disciples out go into all the world and and make disciples preach the gospel, baptized in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching everyone to observe everything that I've commanded you and sought it. I can't say that I can't speak on behalf of every Christian church but I can't see. And that's the great commission. That's with the church from the very beginning has been called to do to make disciples through the proclamation of the word of God, bringing the voice of Jesus.

The truth of Jesus to people that's that's a job. It's to plaque or to Christ is what Paul told the Galatians in Galatians chapter 3 lacquered in Jesus Christ and him crucified before them. That's, that's it.

Ms. Weiss is elsewhere United when I came to your income with with wisdom of words you not.

I didn't know anything. But Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul told the Corinthians.

That's the central message of the Christian faith. And so if churches aren't proclaiming Christ crucified for the forgiveness of our sins.

Then we all know they aren't they are being faithful to the word in it. If there following some other commission if David not making disciples of Jesus, but make maybe making disciples of an individual or you know some social club or something like that will will that's a problem to Jesus made it very clear that there were going to be false teachers, and even false churches out there. He warned the churches in the book of Revelation chapters 2 and three about the importance of being steadfast and faithful to him and to his word, saying if you're not to remove your lampstand. I think there are a lot of churches out there that that maybe you're still in existence. You got the building and all that but the lampstand isn't really there. The spirit is in work because the word of God is not been faithfully taught in Jesus is not being honored and so it's up to us to know the word of God and to make sure that were in churches Miguel that are faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ and I hope that you are. Thank you for that question. Thank you Miguel and thanks for listening to core Christianity. We appreciate that we appreciate all of our listeners and if you are a regular listener to this program and you believe strongly in what this ministry does.

We would love to have you and invite you to join our inner core, which is that group of people that support us here on a regular basis were mentioned earlier, we have a special online meeting coming up in April with a drill and he'll answer your questions in person and also tell you more about this ministry you can find out more about inner core by going to core Christianity.com/inner core. Let's go to Phyllis from Lincoln, Nebraska Phyllis, what's your question for pastor. Israel will be like Sodom and Gomorrah and also like Nella and I just think people are marrying and giving American party and I'll accept that because that that the contamination of the plant. So are we to assume that in the last space which I believe is now Oregon. I have present. We know that the evil one is at work in the spirit of the antichrist is is already on the move on the prowl has been since John wrote in in first John when John says this very clearly we are, as you said, I agree with you Phyllis. We are living in the last days. Now the text of Scripture that you referring to is Matthew chapter 24 where Jesus said in in verse 36 concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son but the father only for as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

For as in those days and this is this how he he draws the. The parallel.

This is the correlation for as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the son of man that was. I don't think the emphasis there. Specifically, Phyllis is you know that there there is that the Knoefler the return of the Knoefler amino part two that's not what Jesus is indicating here and of course there's debate about the Knoefler him. In Genesis, and who exactly they were their identity. But setting that aside, it seems to me like the focus of our Lord Jesus, here's an easy say look, it's going to be like the days of Noah well and in what sense well in the sense that when the judgment comes. People are going to be totally unaware. You know was warning them about the flood that was coming just like preachers today say hate turned to Christ the Lord is coming.

There is a flood of judgment if you will not not not rain God promise never to flood the earth again like that but there but there will be a judgment that's coming and people here that may think he had no big deal when's that can happen. I mean it's what Peter said in second Peter in the last days there would be scoffers following their own lust, saying, where is the promise of his coming. Everything is everything is happening the same way it's been happening for years and years and years and so that that's that's what Jesus sings and look when the judgment comes. There can be a lot of people that just are living their lives. Needle, unaware, marrying, giving in marriage, enjoying you parties and in that kind of thing they weren't watching and Phyllis.

That's one of the things is repeated throughout the Gospels. When Jesus talks about his coming he says we need to be vigilant. We need to be watching. We need to be ready and of course that's something that is getting out there in Matthew 24 as well and so thank you and may the Lord bless you and and we can all say, come, Lord Jesus, as is the New Testament says we look forward to his blessed appearance, and in which we do so with great hope is those who belong to him. God bless a man a great future to look forward to for every one of us, the risen Christ. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez and we would love to hear from you. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Our phone lines will be open for the next five minutes or so 833-843-2673 if you want to spell it out on your phone is 833 the core. You can also leave us a voicemail 24 hours a day. We have some radio stations that air this program on a tape delayed basis.

So if you're not hearing this at 11:30 AM Pacific 1230 Central 130s*1230 Mountain 130 Central or 230 Eastern time. That means your listening on a delayed basis so call us at those times, if you want to get to the studio live each day. Here's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Veronica hi.program garden when God told Adam and Eve printed our thank God I got them. Thank you that you day by thank you for that question and Eunice were thinking about the fall again here and the need for forgiveness.

Obviously Adam and Eve recognized when sin entered the world that they were naked that that they had this guilt.

This shame because of their rebellion, and at first, what if they do that they did what what we often try to do.

Veronica went when when arson is exposed to try to cover it up to conceal it to hide to minimize even you, Adam, blame shifts, is this is frequently what happens when were confronted with our sins. I would say is a pastoring of their there are two things we we often will do will will minimize and will so it's not really that bad to support what what's what's the big deal where people making a big deal about the second everything will blame shift often does this happen relationships and marriages where where were confronted with sin made by our spouse in and we say what I did this because of you. This is your fault or this is the fault of someone else. Those are ways we keep from coming to God in repentance. Truly, honestly, confessing our sins owning up to them and that's what Adam and Eve were doing.

Initially, but that wasn't sufficient that the fig leaves that they had the unit got together to clothe themselves that that wasn't enough, that didn't work, and neither do our, you know, justifications and blame shifting what we need is genuine forgiveness and it seems like that's what's provided there in Genesis chapter 3 effect that's that's exactly what's provided in verse 20 we read the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living in the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them that were not were not told that you note specifically about a sacrifice that that took place but it seems like it's presupposed there, doesn't it. Garments of skins Lord affect comfort from an animal and so it seems like here you have the first sacrifice. If you will.

Animal sacrifice for what purpose for the purpose of covering the nakedness of Adam and Eve for the purpose of covering sin. So right there in Genesis 3 verse 21 you have a picture of God's redemptive love of the cost for forgiveness and what is, what are the wages of sin. The wages of sin or death. Paul says in the book of Romans is the sin leads to death.

An animal had to die and its skin was used to cover the nakedness of this first couple and of course that points us forward to Jesus who John the Baptist said is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world friends you need to know this. Your nakedness, your shame, your sin, no matter how bad it is, no matter what it is you and the symptoms. We think a boy there is no way God could forgive me, or would forgive me.

Well, there is a way and that way was Jesus and its his righteousness that clothes. Those who come to him in faith and in repentance were given a picture of that there in Genesis chapter 3 and and what a great hope we have. What a great hope you have no matter what you've done, no matter how many times you failed the blood of Christ is sufficient for you, if you will, but come to God in humble confession repenting of your sins, turning to him and saying I believe, have mercy upon me. The Lord will and promises to have mercy upon you, and to forgive all of your sins. And that's that's a hope that we have is in a bill.

What a great promise, and it is the hope for every one of us if we come to him in true repentance as you said, regardless of our past.

Regardless of what sins we commit, God forgives us through the blood of Christ.

Yeah, and in if you are a forgiven sinner, as we oftentimes say on this on this broadcast, you're not in it alone to hear United to a family, the church they want to make sure you're in a good church where you reminded of these truth and encouraging your walk with Christ. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together