You would have to be a pretty horrible person to get labeled as the most evil person ever known. That is exactly how King Ahab was labeled (and no doubt the reason why Herman Melville saw it fit to name the tyrannical captain of the Pequod in Moby Dick). Realizing that there was none as bad as Ahab, it's intriguing to see that God relinquished His wrath when Ahab sought repentance. Certainly it answers the question of whether or not a person can go so far as to remove himself from the forgiveness of our Great God. Indeed the only sin that is not forgivable is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 12:31-32), which, in the context, seems to be a settled decision to oppose the work of God. That means any person who surrenders to God will be forgiven! Lest you be tempted to think that you can go through life flirting with sin and enjoying its fleeting pleasures, take note of the consequences Ahab faced. Yes, he was forgiven, BUT God's judgment would be passed on to future generations.
One of my regular readers asked me why God's judgment is passed on to other generations. Why does God punish children for the sins their parents commit? I am reminded of the old phrase, "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." It is important to consider what sin does to a person and to those around a person. When children grow up in an environment of sin, they typically follow in the footsteps of those by whom they've been taught. And even if the parent changes, the children are not always quick to follow. I know of several cases where the children have chosen not to adopt the new-found faith of their parents. Certainly, God is faithful to forgive those who present themselves to Him in submission. Most times, sadly, the damage is already done, and the sins of the parents will be practiced by their children until a transition generation comes and decides to reconcile themselves before the Lord.
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