Whatever Your Sins, God Doesn't Hate You!

By Billy Graham, Christian Post Guest Columnist Monday, June 20, 2011

Q: I thought I was making the right choice when I left my wife for another woman many years ago, but I realize now I was thinking only about myself. Will God ever forgive me? I wish He would because I feel very guilty, but doubt if He will. -- N. McC.

A: Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could go to bed tonight and know beyond all doubt that God had forgiven all your sins, and that you didn't need to carry your burden of guilt any longer? Of course it would.

And that's exactly what God wants to do in your life! God doesn't hate you; He hates your sin, but He doesn't hate you. In fact, God loves you; He loves you so much that He wants you to spend all eternity with Him in heaven. And He made this possible by sending His only Son into the world to take away your sin. The Bible puts it this way: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

What did Jesus Christ do for you? He was the sinless Son of God -- but on the cross all our sins were placed in Him, and He willingly took the judgment that you and I deserve. Now God offers us forgiveness and salvation as a free gift -- free, because Jesus Christ has already paid for it.

But like any other gift, we must receive it -- and that is what I urge you to do. By a simple prayer of faith confess your sins and ask Christ to come into your life and take away your sins -- and He will. Then thank God that you are now His child and that some day you will go to be with Him forever.

Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories - through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.