Are everybody’s sins already forgiven? Why people go to hell
I was recently told by a commenter on YouTube, “God has already forgiven everyone for all of their sins,” because He “accepted Jesus’ death as the atonement of all sins for all men for all time. God has no more wrath for man.”
However, he said, this does not mean all humanity is saved, because we can still refuse God’s forgiveness and not be granted eternal life through faith.
I’ve heard the idea of universal forgiveness before, and it’s a plank in the idea of unlimited atonement — that on the cross, Jesus atoned for all sins committed by all men in all times. I’m not going to settle the broader topic of the atonement here — for that, I recommend Mike Riccardi’s book “To Save Sinners” — but I want to zoom in on the question of why people go to hell. Is it the penalty for our sins, or is it only because we’ve refused to believe in Christ?
I have trouble understanding how it’s not the former, because there are multiple passages of Scripture that are as plain as Scripture can be that man’s sins are the reason for our condemnation, which means they’re obviously not forgiven. I’ll start with two parallel passages in Ephesians and Colossians (the italics are mine):
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:3-6)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. (Colossians 3:5-6)
Twice, Paul writes clearly that God’s wrath comes upon unbelievers because of the sins they have committed, so they can’t possibly be forgiven. His wrath for them remains after the cross, so Jesus could not have propitiated it. It’s our sins that keep us out of the kingdom of God.
The point is further proven by the distinct objects of God’s wrath — the sons of disobedience. Not believers, because their sins, and theirs only, have been forgiven.
Those are far from the only Scriptures that teach this. Several eschatological passages explicitly tie God’s coming wrath not to whether sinners have accepted their forgiveness, but to evil works that have not been forgiven:
Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. (Jude 14-15)
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. (Revelation 20:12-13)
How can men be judged and convicted according to their works if they’ve already been forgiven?
Jesus Himself precluded the idea of universal forgiveness when He said:
“If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15)
“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” (John 9:41)
“If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
It is correct that eternal life or eternal death hinges on faith alone, but that’s because if we don’t believe, our sins remain unforgiven.
Perhaps the Bible’s most conclusive statement on the basis of God’s wrath is Romans 1:18 — “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” The forgiveness of sins is promised only to those who believe: “through His name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
This is an important truth because if we tell unbelievers that their sins have already been forgiven, that could reduce, in their minds, their need for Christ.
Salvation is a package deal — forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption, regeneration, imputed righteousness, eternal life. That’s what Christ did for His sheep. Those who are in Christ through repentant faith will enjoy all of that. But those who refuse His call will die in their sins, as He said.
See also: