^“It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'”

-Luke 24:47, NLT (emphasis mine)

Is God’s forgiveness for all?

As I was preparing for this Sunday’s sermon, this verse jumped out at me from the Gospel of Luke. It has some important implications when it comes to the topic of forgiveness.

We are called to model our practice of forgiveness after God (see Ephesians 4:32). So, it matters how God forgives. That–NOT what pop psychologists say–ought to govern how we practice forgiveness.

I want to point out for whom forgiveness is offered in this last message from Jesus before the Ascension:

“…for all who repent.”

It is not just “for all.” God does not simply declare everyone forgiven. Rather, God requires repentance in order for us to be forgiven.

Anyone who pushes for a unilateral forgiveness–of say a cheater–is teaching a false doctrine. This is NOT how God forgives. He requires repentance.

Now, I do believe we can let go of our claims for revenge to God. But that might be as far as we get in the forgiveness process with some cheaters, because those cheaters will never repent. They will live their lives spewing lies about us and continuing their walk down the broad path of sinful destruction.

As I read these words from Jesus in Luke, I believe Cheaters only find forgiveness when they repent–i.e. turn away from their sins.

In sum, it is biblically unsound to talk about forgiving a cheater without reference to their state of repentance (or non-repentance). God does forgive all–but only all who repent.