Bob Prichard

Topic(s): Forgiveness, God's Mercy, Sin

Jeffrey Dahmer’s sentence of fifteen consecutive life terms in prison ended with his murder by another inmate. His cannibalism, necrofilia, and murder of seventeen young men repulsed the world. While in prison, Dahmer studied the Bible, repented of his sins and was baptized, just as Peter told the multitude on Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “Jail house” religion is frequently only a ruse to receive better treatment, but those who taught the gospel to Dahmer felt that his conversion was sincere. Could God forgive a man who committed so many heinous crimes? Is it possible Dahmer found salvation in prison, while some of his victims may have lost any chance to become Christians because he killed them?

We must acknowledge that all mankind is in the hands of God. He is the One who judges faithfulness and salvation. We do not decide or judge the eternal destiny of others. We do know, however, that God can and will forgive all sins of those who turn to Him and do what he requires for forgiveness. Saul of Tarsus not only hated Christ and His church, but also threw Christians in prison for their faith, helped in the stoning of Stephen, and did all he could to cause Christians to blaspheme against the Lord (Acts 8:1-3, 26:11). As the apostle Paul, he wrote, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). Because of his sins, Paul considered himself the “chief” of sinners.

While many today deny the reality of hell, the scriptures speak of hell just as much as they do of heaven. While few people believe that they will go to hell, they are sure that people like Jeffrey Dahmer will surely go to hell. The fact is, however, that the saved will be saved only because they respond in obedience to the grace of God. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even a convicted murderer like Jeffrey Dahmer can respond to the grace of God. Similarly, some who consider themselves to be righteous but do not respond to God’s grace will be lost, even if they have not committed what they consider “big sins” like murder. Paul warned that the Lord will come again, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). God forgave the terrible sins of the Corinthians: “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). God still forgives today. Now is the time to respond to His love!