Murderers, Thieves, and the Power of Repentance

Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving into a tough topic, but one that is incredibly important to understand: Can murderers and thieves go to heaven? Sounds like a heavy question, right? But I want to bring you the good news today that no one, no matter their past, is too far gone to experience God's amazing grace and mercy.

Let’s start by clearing up a fundamental truth: Jesus came to save the lost, not the perfect. If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t need a Savior. But the truth is, every single one of us has sinned—some sins may be more visible than others, but in the eyes of God, sin is sin. Whether it's murder, theft, lying, or pride, it separates us from God. But here’s the good news: God offers forgiveness for all sins through Jesus Christ. And anyone who repents—no matter their past—can be forgiven and made new in Christ.

Repentance: The Key to Transformation

The Bible tells us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). That means repentance is key. Repentance isn’t just about saying, “Sorry, God,” and moving on. No, it’s about a change of heart, a change of direction. It’s about turning away from our old ways and choosing to live for Jesus.

Think about it—a murderer, someone who has taken the life of another, may have lived a life full of pain, rage, or despair. But when that person comes to Jesus, repents, and turns away from their past, God doesn’t just say, “Well, you’re forgiven.” No! He says, “I make all things new.” That person becomes a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Their old identity is gone, and in Christ, they are now a son or daughter of the King, with a fresh start and a new purpose.

The same goes for thieves—people who’ve stolen, lied, or cheated. Whether it’s robbing a bank or swiping a candy bar, sin is sin. But when thieves come to Jesus, repent, and choose to follow Him, God forgives and washes away all the guilt and shame. They, too, are made new. They are no longer defined by their past actions but by the grace of God that covers them.

Without Christ, You're Open Season for the Devil

Now, let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked: without Christ, we’re like sitting ducks for the enemy. Think of it like this: if you’re out in the wilderness without any protection, you’re an easy target for predators. The same is true for us spiritually. Without Jesus in our lives, we are vulnerable to the schemes of the devil, to demons, to the brokenness of this world. Our hearts and minds are wide open for attack.

But when you invite Jesus into your heart, everything changes. It’s like you’ve built a fortress around yourself. God Himself comes to live inside you, and once that happens, you're not the same anymore. You are no longer under the control of fear, shame, guilt, or the devil's lies. You are a new creation. The old you—full of anger, regret, and bad choices—has passed away, and the new you is alive in Christ, filled with love, peace, and joy.

That’s the power of repentance. It’s not about what you’ve done in the past, it’s about what Jesus can do in your life right now. Jesus came to redeem, restore, and make all things new—even murderers, thieves, liars, and broken-hearted people like you and me.

God’s Love Is Greater Than Our Failures

Some people may struggle with the idea that someone who has done horrible things—like murder—can still go to heaven. They ask, “How can God forgive them? How can God love someone who has done something so awful?”

But here's the thing: God’s love is greater than our sin. His grace is bigger than any mistake we’ve ever made. Remember the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)? This son took his inheritance early, wasted it all on reckless living, and ended up with nothing. But when he came to his senses and returned to his father, the father didn’t say, “You messed up too much for me to forgive you.” No! The father ran to him with open arms, threw him a feast, and welcomed him home.

That’s the kind of love God has for each of us. No matter how far we’ve strayed or what we’ve done, God’s arms are open wide, waiting for us to come home to Him. There’s nothing you can do that will make God love you any less.

Forgiven, Loved, and Transformed

I want you to understand this: God doesn’t just forgive you and leave you in your mess. No, when He forgives, He transforms. When you come to Jesus, you are made new. You are not the same person you were before you met Him. That’s the beauty of the gospel! Jesus didn’t come just to make us feel better about our mistakes; He came to change our hearts, our minds, and our lives completely.

If you’re sitting here today thinking you’ve done too much wrong for God to ever forgive you, I want to tell you this: You are not too far gone. God’s forgiveness is for everyone. And when you turn to Him in repentance, He will forgive you, and He will make you into a new creation.

Conclusion: You Are Loved

So, whether you're dealing with past mistakes, regrets, or feelings of shame—know this: God loves you. His forgiveness is available to anyone who turns to Him. The murderer, the thief, the liar, the brokenhearted—all are welcome in God’s family. No one is beyond His reach.

Don’t let your past define you. Let God’s love define you.

And if you're here today, and you've never taken that step to turn to Jesus—today is the day. Repent, turn away from your old ways, and ask God to come into your heart. He’ll forgive you, heal you, and make you new.

Remember: there is no sin too great, no failure too big, no heart too hardened for God’s love to reach. You are not defined by what you've done, but by who He says you are.

Let’s pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your incredible love and forgiveness. Thank You for sending Jesus to redeem and restore us, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done. Help us to walk in the freedom of Your forgiveness and grace, knowing that in Christ, we are made new. Thank You for loving us when we were unlovable and for transforming us into the people You created us to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go in peace, knowing that you are loved and forgiven, no matter what.