For some reason, people seem to get a kick out of placing limitations on God. I remember first making this observation while witnessing a half-playful discussion along the lines of “Can God create a rock so big even He can’t lift it?” In my mind, it has always been a non-negotiable: There’s nothing God can’t do. He tells us this in His word: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37, KJV). 

And while the occasional theological debate can be fun and even intellectually stimulating, I also see some danger in questioning God this way. Because for some who may not yet know Jesus as their Savior, if our God is not completely, entirely, and eternally all-powerful, a misconception may arise in regards to salvation: “I'm too bad/evil/wicked for God to save me.”

It’s a statement I’ve heard people make before. At times, I’ve wondered whether they really meant it, whether it was simply an excuse to put off making the decision to live for God. But what if it’s not just an excuse? What if there are actually people who believe that the things they’ve done with their lives and the choices they’ve made in the past are so heinously wicked that even an all-merciful God could not forgive them?

That’s the danger of allowing people to think, even jokingly, that there is anything that God cannot do. Without this complete faith in and understanding of God’s power, souls hang in the balance. Yes, our God can do anything. There is no one beyond His power to save, regardless of personality, past, or even present.

I’m so thankful that God has filled His Word with examples for us, both positive and negative. When it comes to the worst of the worst, very few people today would stack up against the apostle Paul, formerly Saul. In the beginning of Galatians, Paul reminds the church of his own questionable past before Christ saved him: 

“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:13-14)

Here was a man who didn’t just oppose Christ; he actively sought out and persecuted anyone who followed Jesus, a man who used to “breathe out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1). And yet chapter nine of Acts goes on to describe Saul’s amazing encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus and his subsequent conversion, a conversion so life-changing that he became an entirely new man: Paul. That is the power of our God.

The Bible is filled with His promises of forgiveness, no ifs, ands, or buts. Acts 10:43 says that “all the prophets testify about Him [Jesus Christ] that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Did you catch that? Everyone. There is no prerequisite, requirement, or qualification to this forgiveness. God can and will save anyone who calls on the name of Jesus.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

Is there anyone too bad for God to save? I’m glad to say that, if you believe the Bible, that’s another non-negotiable: Absolutely not. If you’ve allowed this lie to dissuade you from the forgiveness of God, it’s time to replace it with this truth: “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at   .

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