Bible Questions and Answers

The problem of sinning, seeking forgiveness, and then committing the same sin again is common to all who try to live a life by Christ’s commandments.

Paul experienced the same problem

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

To repent means to turn from living a life of wilful sin and make a genuine attempt to live without sin. The problem is that we cannot live completely without sin. If we could, then Christ need not have died. Christ gave his life to save us from the consequence of the sins we commit through the weakness of our nature.

The temptation to sin is ever present with us. When we believe the gospel, repent of our old way of life and are baptised into Christ for the remission sins, all our prior sins are forgiven. Repentance consists of changing the way that we think and live so that we make a genuine attempt to live by the commandments of Christ.

When we sin after baptism we can be forgiven by confession in prayer.

John explains:

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

That God knows we will still sin is evident in the Lord’s prayer

Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

God will forgive us if we forgive others.

Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The comfort we have in God’s capacity for forgiveness is provided by the answer of Jesus to Peter.

Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

In Christ we are no longer under the Law of sin and death. God’s forgiveness is without limit. We have the example of David who was forgiven after committing adultery and murder. Those in Christ are promised the sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Our sins and iniquities will be remembered no more.

Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

If we are making a genuine attempt to follow Christ and do that which is right in the sight of God, our sins can and will be forgiven. If we turn away from God and go back to our old way of life, wilfully continuing to live in sin; that is when our sins will not be forgiven.

Hebrews 10:26 (ESV) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

One of the objects of meeting regularly to break bread and drink wine is to examine ourselves to determine whether we really are trying to live a Christ-like life.

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

In conclusion, we will never be able to live a completely sin-free life, but God is aware of our intentions.

1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

We will be judged rather, on how we have shown the love of God to others.

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn