October 20, 2021 – Click here to listen
I received an email from a longtime reader last week and it is as follows:
I hope you don’t mind, but I have a question for you regarding sin and forgiveness. I know I am forgiven of my sin by GOD’s Grace, through the blood of Christ . . . And I know we all sin, even after we have been forgiven . . . and that we should try as hard as possible NOT to sin . . . So, here is my question: What if you truly are working very hard NOT to sin, but you keep committing the same sin, day in and day out, even after having asked for forgiveness and strength NOT to commit the same sin . . . you keep doing it. Am I still forgiven?
I read my Bible ever day, pray about it often, and am REALLY struggling with this one and how to figure it out! Any thoughts are GREATLY welcomed!
Initially, my response was hampered by not knowing what sin he is having problems with so I could respond specifically but as I thought about it what does it really matter – sin is sin. We all are hampered by recurring sin. Even my hero the Apostle Paul complained about it. Romans 7:15 – I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Although Paul has been freed from slavery to sin, he has not lost his desire to sin. Sin in his body continues to trip him up even as he sees it for the evil that it is. He cries out for the Holy Spirit to give him power to overcome the sin from which he cannot seem to escape. Galatians 5:16 – So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Keeping this in mind, my response to my Christian brother was as follows:
“I believe God knows your heart. Remember that Jesus told us that if someone asks for forgiveness then we should give it over and again – Matthew 18:21. 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.”. In other words, we should forgive and keep on forgiving forever if necessary, and if this pertains to us it most certainly pertains to God. Based upon His Holy Word I believe God forgives over and again if one is truly repentant and sorry for breaking God’s commands.
The question is, are you genuinely repentant? Are you trying as hard as possible to stop? Take Pornography as an example it plagues many men, but statistics tell us they continue, especially those who are committed Christians including pastors. There are many great Christian programs to help stop this addiction and I’ve known guys who put blocking software on their computers and so on. The Bible says when faced with temptation we should flee. The best and most literal biblical example of someone fleeing temptation is found in Genesis 39 when young Joseph, Jacob’s son, was targeted by his master’s wife for an adulterous affair. She tempted him day after day, but Joseph held firm to his convictions and rebuffed her advances. Not only did he refuse to go to bed with her, but he wisely refused to “even be with her.” Paul tells us in 1 Tim. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Also if praying, “every once in a while”, is not working you may need more earnest prayer as in on your knees crying out to the Lord daily. Ask and you shall receive. Hope this helps my friend. You are right we all sin and I’m among the worst. I have had a quick temper and cursed since I came out of the womb and still fight these battles. One day at a time my brother – One day at a time . . .”
In closing I will say that the Bible states that all temptation comes from Satan. When you are tempted think about that. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted with the entire world which is ruled by Lucifer – Satan says, “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” Jesus replies “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and only Him shall you serve. Jesus rebuffed Satan and his temptation by using Scripture: (For it is written . . .). We should do the same.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.