What If We Sin Over and Over?
Posted by Gabe Vaughan, Director Social Media and Design on 13th Mar 2018
Sin and Satan
I believe that one of the most effective tricks Satan plays on us 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.
God's Promises
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.
How Many Times To Forgive
Peter asked Jesus how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Peter was probably thinking that he was being generous 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 (1 John 3:8-9).
Examine Faith
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, "for there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). 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.
Grace
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.