​What if I Sin: Over and Over Again?

I believe that one of the most effective tricks Satan plays on Christians is to convince us that our sins aren't really forgiven.

Psalm 103:12 says “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

One of Satan’s biggest tools is to constantly remind us of our past failures, and he uses those to make us think that God couldn't possibly forgive us. This can make it really hard for us to simply rest in the promises of God and trust His love.

1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

What an incredible promise! God forgives us when we sin if we come to Him, repent and ask to be forgiven.

Matthew 18:21, 22. “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.’"

Peter was probably thinking that he was being generous when he suggested forgiving seven times, but Jesus basically told him forgiveness is infinite for those who are truly seeking it. At the same time, it is not biblical for a person to sin habitually and continually as a lifestyle and still be a believer.

In 1 John 3:8-9: Paul said, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”

Grace is a gift from God. When we sin, we should feel convicted with a godly sorrow not as if there is no hope.

Romans: 8-1: "For there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

The conviction in us is a conviction of love and grace. Grace is not an excuse to sin (Romans 6:1-2), and it dare not be abused, meaning that sin must be called sin, and it cannot be treated as if it is harmless or inoffensive.

Unrepentant believers need to be lovingly confronted and guided to freedom, and unbelievers need to be told that they need to repent. Yet let us also emphasize the remedy, for we have been given grace upon grace.

John 1:16: Grace is how we live, how we are saved, how we are sanctified, and how we will be kept and glorified. Let us receive grace when we sin by repenting and confessing our sin to God.

Trust God’s Word, no matter what.

Keep your eyes on the horizon.

Laus Deo,

Kenny

“The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life” by John Kennedy Vaughan