The question of whether there is a point at which we cannot be forgiven is an important one for many Christians. Nahum 3:19 says, “There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?” This verse describes the impending judgment on the wicked city of Nineveh, implying that there was no more chance for them to repent and receive forgiveness. However, when we examine the broader teaching of Scripture, we see that God’s mercy and willingness to forgive are everlasting.
God’s Nature is to Forgive
Throughout the Bible, we see that God is supremely merciful and ready to forgive. Exodus 34:6-7 describes God as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” His desire is to show compassion. As Ezekiel 18:23 states, God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Even in the New Testament, 2 Peter 3:9 tells us God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God’s heart is always inclined to restore the repentant sinner.
God demonstrated the depths of His mercy by sending His Son Jesus to die for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). God initiated reconciliation with us even when we were His enemies, showing “His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The very purpose of Jesus’ coming was “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), even the worst of sinners. We see this in Jesus’ kindness toward the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 and the tax collector Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Over and over, Scripture reveals God’s heart of forgiveness toward the repentant.
Complete Forgiveness Offered in Jesus
The Bible is clear that forgiveness of sins is found only through Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 states, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins once for all, enabling God to forgive completely. Hebrews 10:17-18 says God promises, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where sin increases, “grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). God’s grace and forgiveness have no limits for those who turn to Christ.
This complete forgiveness is offered to all. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Scarlet and crimson were the deepest of stains, yet God can make even the worst sinner “as white as snow.” As long as we live, it is not too late to repent and receive forgiveness in Christ. Even the thief on the cross beside Jesus was promised paradise that very day (Luke 23:39-43).
Forgiveness for the Repentant
God’s mercy and forgiveness are unlimited for the repentant but unavailable to the unrepentant. Scripture warns that those who harden their hearts against God’s plea for reconciliation will face judgment. Romans 2:5 warns of those “who by your hard and impenitent heart store up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath.” Hebrews 10:26-27 cautions, “If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment.” God’s desire is always that sinners turn back to Him and experience His forgiveness. But He will not force forgiveness on the stubbornly unrepentant.
Yet we must avoid making definitive judgments about another person’s standing before God. Only He knows the heart. Paul warns us not to pronounce condemnation on others as if we know their eternal state, for “God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge” (James 4:12). Our task is to graciously call all to repentance and faith in Christ while the opportunity remains.
Forgiveness and Justice
A natural question arises: If God forgives every repentant sinner, how is justice upheld? Scripture teaches God’s forgiveness does not compromise justice. Jesus’ sacrifice fully satisfied the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf (Romans 3:25-26). God’s just penalty for sin was executed when Jesus died for us. As Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” His mercy endures forever, yet the demands of His justice were also met in the cross.
Furthermore, Scripture warns that unbelievers will face just punishment, separation from God, for rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Forgiveness is available to all but will be received only by some. Despite God’s heart of love, many spurn His mercy. God therefore has no choice but to justly punish those who refuse His provision of salvation in Jesus.
Certificate of Forgiveness
How can we be sure we are fully forgiven as we repent and believe the gospel? God provides a “certificate of forgiveness” to all who trust in Jesus: the Holy Spirit within our hearts. Ephesians 1:13-14 describes the Spirit as a “seal” and “guarantee” of our redemption. As Romans 8:16 notes, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” The Spirit assures believers that we are forgiven, adopted, and accepted by God. What powerful testimony to God’s unfailing mercy toward all who come to Him through Christ!
No Point of No Return
While Scripture warns of the danger of hardening our hearts against God’s call to repentance, it never states that God’s forgiveness has limits or that sinners might transgress a “point of no return.” Even Nineveh in Nahum’s day could have turned to God, had they believed the preaching of Jonah generations earlier. Tragically, they continued downward in sin until judgment fell. But for any who turned to God even at the last moment, His mercy remained.
As long as we live and still have breath to call on Him, God faithfully responds. Jesus’ parable of the workers in Matthew 20:1-16 shows that whether we turn to God early or late in life, He rewards us equally. Isaiah 55:7 promises, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him.” God warns of the peril of delay but nowhere declares a limit to His forgiveness. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tomorrow may be hidden from us.
The message of Scripture remains clear: Those who repent and believe the gospel will always find God ready to forgive. While willful rejection of God’s mercy stores up His wrath, a humble, contrite heart He will never despise (Psalm 51:17). Forgiveness found in Christ knows no bounds for those who seek Him as long as we live and breathe.
