Can God Forgive Me?

In a tent meeting one night, a man and a woman walked in and sat in the back row. The evangelist could see by his shadowy outline that he was a big man. It was dark in the tent for the speaker was using slides with his presentation. At the conclusion of the sermon, the couple abruptly got up and left.

By the time the speaker reached the exit to greet the people, they were gone. No one knew who they were. The next night as the evangelist got up to speak, the same couple returned and this time sat closer to the middle of the tent. Again, as the message of the night ended, the couple quickly got up and left.

Still no one knew who they were, or why they were leaving so soon from the meeting place. The next night they came earlier and sat even closer to the front. He was a hulk of a man. The woman also was obviously into body building.

This particular evening the preacher made an appeal. He invited anyone who would to rise and come to the altar. Among others was this couple. With tears streaming down his face, the gentleman stepped up and let it be known that he needed time with the preacher alone.

After all were dismissed, the man threw a question at the evangelist, “Can God forgive me?” “Of course!” Responded the preacher. “How do you know?

You don’t even know who I am, and what I have done,” stated the troubled man. “You are right. I do not know who you are or what you have done, but I know who God is and what He can do!”

Then the preacher opened his Bible and read, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “How can that be true?” Inquired the man. “With man things are impossible, but with God, all things are possible,” was the reply.

Then the pastor continued and asked, “What do you think you have done that you think God can’t forgive you?” “I have killed 3,500 people.” “Three thousand five hundred lives? How did you kill that many people?”

Asked the amazed listener. “My father was a hired killer,” began the visitor. “From my childhood up, I developed the thirst for blood. But I did not want to be like my father—always hiding.

At an early age, I began to body- build so that I could beat up on people. But it was not enough.

I was unsatisfied, so decided to join the military at age seventeen. I became a helicopter pilot and volunteered for Vietnam. Finally I was excited for the opportunity to kill legally.

Convinced that I could kill more than all the other pilots I suggested taking bets. I volunteered for every search and destroy mission. It was this way that I destroyed 3,500 lives. “What is strange about it is that I never felt guilt or remorse about this until I came here to this tent meeting.

You know why I came? We were driving by and I told my wife, ‘Let’s go into that tent and see what is going on.’ I always enjoyed going to places and starting something so that I could have the pleasure of taking somebody’s face and twisting it. But things here were not what I expected.

Now I am in turmoil over my past. Will God really forgive me?” The pastor again turned to the promise in 1 John 1:9, and read it. The he said, “If you determine to turn your life over to God, and with a contrite heart ask for forgiveness, He will forgive you and give you a new heart.

Is this what you want?” asked the pastor. “Yes,” responded the man. Then together they sank to their knees, and he poured out his heartfelt plea to the Lord.

Yes, that hour there was a new soul born into the kingdom.