"Does God forgive sins?" (Alleged Contradiction #E5736)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Joshua 24:19-20
See also: Jeremiah 31:34, I John 1:9
Response
God will forgive only if they “humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways.” Joshua is speaking of those who “forsake the LORD” (Joshua 24:20).
Furthermore, although God forgives sin when we repent, this does not mean that we do not experience God’s punishment for those sins. Sin bears consequences even after God has forgiven us, and Joshua mentions this in verse 20.
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