God does not forgive sins one at a time when we commit them. Neither does He choose which sins to forgive and which not to. God’s forgiveness is total and complete. The provision of the cross, the blood of His Son, justifies us instantaneously and completely when we believe in His Son. Paul explains this in Romans chapter 3,
Rom 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Before you were saved, you were a sinner. After you respond in faith to the grace gospel and trust that God saves you and justifies you, you remain a sinner. In other words, NOTHING changes in the body! However, EVERYTHING changes in the spirit. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you are 100% forgiven and justified, not because of what you do, but because of what Christ did. God forgives you and saves you because of the righteousness of His Son. This justification is settled in heaven.
Rom 5:8-11 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
When justification is declared over you in heaven, your sins are forgiven! All of them! You still remain a sinner, but God does not impute your sins against you,
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
An unsaved person will answer for their sin at judgement, but a saved person, through the gift of justification is set free from sin.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
At this point most people will be wondering about this? Since we are under God’s grace, can we then continue to commit sin? Paul deals with this very question in Romans chapter 6. He asks,
Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. … 18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Sin will always be present in us, until we are delivered from this corrupt body and given an eternal, resurrection body, which cannot sin. Until this event, we are to take Paul’s advice in Romand chapters 6 to 8, and learn, and understand, that the written Word has the power to conquer sin by getting it into us and faithfully applying it to our lives. When we “live the Word”, which is to “walk by the Spirit”, we will mortify the deeds of the flesh. Our responsibility is to grow in the Word, and allow it to change our thoughts, words, actions, and responses to life. Only the Word in us can do this.
A saved person has a reasonable service to perform at this point, which is as follows:
- Learn the written Word and get as much of it into them as possible.
- Then have that Word in them transform them as they apply it in their lives.
- Avoid setting laws and rules to try to serve God. This will condemn you and kill your functional walk with God. 2Cor 3:6 says, “for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” We do not serve God in our own strength! We serve Him by allowing His Word to transform us. We are NOT under the law, but under grace, Rom 6:14.
I end with further advice from Paul. You will do well to study these verses and gain a firm understanding of what they mean. Get the Word into you so that the Word can transform you and work itself out of you. This is the OLNY way to overcome sin and bring glory to Christ. This is God’s instructions to which you will be wise to follow.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
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