Question:
My question is more a statement. I am having trouble with forgiving the terrorists. Jesus died on the cross to save our sins but how will these people be saved and will they?
Answer:
Unless one of them personally has done something to you, it is not your place nor obligation to be worried about “forgiving” them. It sounds like what you meant to say is that you have trouble not HATING them, or being bitter towards them. In that case:
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (NKJV)
Now WILL they be saved? If they repent and turn in faith to Jesus Christ…. most definitely yes. Is that likely? From a human viewpoint, probably not; but we can’t limit what God will do.
Finally, how could God possibly grant salvation to terrorists? I have hated; I’m a murderer (1John 3.15). I’ve lusted; I’m an adulterer (Matt 5.28). I’ve not always been 100% honest; I’m a liar. I’ve put things ahead of God; I’m an idolater. Starting to get the point?
I have broken every law of God either in spirit or actual act. So have you. So has everyone you know. And yet God has chosen to save me despite my lawlessness.
Terrorists are horrible, ruthless cowards; but in reality, their violation of God’s holiness is no more horrible, eternally speaking, than our sinfulness. God can and will save according to His rules, not ours.