Scripture shows that God forgives serious sins when people come to Him in repentance: David after adultery and murder, Paul—the persecutor of the Church, and people who had previously lived in serious sins. Repentance and confession are named as the way to receive forgiveness. However, forgiveness does not always remove the consequences: David’s child died.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- David acknowledged his sin, and Nathan said that the Lord had taken away his sin (2 Sam. 12:13); but the consequences remained—the son who was born died (2 Sam. 12:14). Psalm 51 is connected with this episode (see its superscription).
- Paul, formerly a blasphemer and persecutor, received mercy as an example of Christ’s patience (1 Tim. 1:13–16).
- If we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
- God says that sins, though scarlet, will become white as snow (Isa. 1:18); He has removed our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:10–12).
- In Corinth, there were people who had previously lived in sexual immorality, theft, and drunkenness, but they had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord (1 Cor. 6:9–11).
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the Scripture texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
7 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and 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 be like wool.”
2 Samuel 12:13–14
13 And David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord has taken away from you your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given the enemies of the Lord great occasion to blaspheme Him, the son who is born to you shall surely die.”
1 Timothy 1:13–16
13 though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I received mercy because I did so ignorantly, in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord (Jesus Christ) was revealed in me abundantly, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I received mercy, so that in me, first of all, Jesus Christ might demonstrate all longsuffering, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
Psalm 51:1–4
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, 3 for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight, so that You are righteous in Your judgment and blameless in Your verdict.
Psalm 103:10–12
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us according to our iniquities: 11 for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is the Lord’s mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us;
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
