There are different variations of the quote above. Sometimes it is “I have sinned too much”, other times “I have done too much.” Regardless, the implication is that what one has done, God cannot forgive them of/for. Within the statement itself, the people are declaring themselves sinners. Most people who make these statements DO believe in God. Many, if not all, also believe in heaven and hell. But they just don’t believe they can go to heaven because they have sinned too much, or too high of a degree (ex. committed murder). Is it true? Is heaven out of their reach?

When people say something like, “I’ve sinned too much. No way can I go to heaven” at first hearing it almost sounds as though this is a statement of humility. The reality; however, is that it is not. It sounds like they are saying they are undeserving of heaven. That is true, but not special to them. EVERYONE is undeserving of heaven. The statement is actually a statement of great arrogance and spits in the face of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

It is a statement that spits in the face of God because it is in essence saying “I am greater than God.” That is, “My sin is stronger and more powerful than the grace of God.”, or “That it is impossible for God to save me, or cleanse me of this sin.” There is a song that Christians sing because they know better “Grace, Greater Than All My Sin.” God’s grace is not insufficient for anyone, but great enough for EVERYONE. That is why the scriptures say that God desires for ALL to be saved through the gospel (II Tim. 2:4) Our condemnation is not a lack of God’s power or ability, but a lack of our own will and submission.

This statement spits in the face of the Holy Spirit, because it is in essence saying “The Holy Spirit is a liar”. What an arrogant and foolish claim. There is no book in existence which speaks truth, and proves itself true through perfect prophecy, like the Holy Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit. The word of God is true (John 17:17), and it is God-breathed (II Tim. 3:16) inspired by the Holy Spirit (II Pt. 1:21). The Holy Spirit says the blood of Christ can cleanse us from ALL sin (II Cor. 7:1; I Jn 1:7). “All” meaning both all types and all amounts. Our condemnation is not a lack of God speaking truth in scripture, but a lack of our own will to hear and heed the words of warning and salvation.

This statement spits in the face of Jesus Christ because it is inherently saying, “Christ, your sacrifice wasn’t good enough!” What a pitiful statement, to declare the sacrifice of God’s only begotten son worthless and meaningless. But that not true, it is not worthless and meaningless. It is such ONLY to those who are arrogant and foolish enough to despise the love Christ demonstrated on the cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ came to this earth to bring salvation to ALL men because He loved us (Titus 2:11-14; I Jn. 3:16). He is the one who is worthy of ALL glory and honor through obeying the gospel and living a godly life. Satan has sacrificed nothing, and is worthy of nothing, so why trample the love of Christ and wrap oneself in the ignorance, foolishness, and hate of Satan by denying the power of Christ’s love.

What is amazing about these claims that God cannot and will not save them is how they overlook the obvious examples in scripture which are meant to encourage us in our knowledge of God’s salvation. King David in the Old Testament (II Sam. 11&12) was a man who committed adultery, blasphemy, and murder all in the span of 9 months, and yet because of his penitent heart the Lord was willing to forgive him of his sin (II Sam. 12:13) Likewise in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul had formerly been a murderer and blasphemer who was a great persecutor of the church, and yet he found grace in the eyes of God and gives us this statement, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (I Tim. 1:12-16)

Truth is… no one will miss out on heaven because they have done too much, but because they have done too little! They haven’t opened their heart to the gospel. They haven’t accepted the evidence of God, His salvation, the integrity of His word into their life. They haven’t obeyed and killed their old life in burial with Christ in baptism to be raised with Him and walk in the newness of life (Ro. 6:4). Yes, in your present state you are too sin stained to enter heaven, but the blood of Christ can cleanse you from ALL sin! Trust and obey the grace of God, the truth of the Holy Spirit, and the love of Christ, and you WILL have live eternal.

By David Osteen via Grace Gazzette, October 3, 2010 Volume 5 Article 44

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