I keep sinning. Can I be forgiven for repeatedly returning to my sin? Many people have been asking this question. Let’s see what God has to say.
“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter.
Mark 3:28
Forgiveness, yes. But…
There are Consequences
Jesus said all sins shall be forgiven before saying there is only one unforgivable sin: blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mark3:29).
God will never remove our salvation. However, believers face consequences for continued sin.
Early Death
“For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (1 Corinthians 11:30).”
Loss of Fellowship
We can lose fellowship with God and other believers.
I (Paul)wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world…for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person…. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?… REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).”
“(Jesus said to Peter). Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).”.
Eternal Consequences
Not inherit means what it says–no inheritance. A believer loses rewards, but not eternal life:
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9).”
Judgment by God
“If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment (Hebrews 10:26).”
The no longer remains a sacrifice for sins doesn’t mean that Jesus’ sacrifice doesn’t cover sinning willfully. It does address the problem the readers had. They were persecuted for their Christian practices, so they went back to Jewish practices and offered animal sacrifices. By offering sacrifices, they implied that Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient “since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame (Hebrews 6:6). That was the intentional sin they were committing.
When the Letter to the Hebrews was written, the Jewish Temple was still standing and operational. God warned that Jesus had offered the final sacrifice. So, a couple of years after this letter was written, in 70 AD, the Romans came and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. God warned His people that judgment was coming against them and their Temple:
“For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:30-31).”
Notice this warning is to God’s people and not to unbelievers or “professing Christians” who God had never saved. The warning is severe so some interpreters believe the author must mean it for the unsaved, or that if it is to Christians, that God threatens to take away their salvation. That conclusion is not necessary. There are other things to lose besides initial salvation, which is a salvation God promises we can never lose.
For mature Christians, there’s an overruling incentive for good behavior. They don’t want to be ashamed when Jesus returns. They want Him to find them faithful. They’re seeking Jesus’ praise:
“And now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him when He comes (1 John 2:28).”
“His master (Jesus) said to him, ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master (Matthew 25:23).”
Believers will not lose their salvation for repeated sins, but they will suffer consequences. Find your salvation in Jesus Christ today. Please watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU Video on this page.
