Is it Ok to pray for future sins?

[Tomm]

...

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

matthew 6:34

 

[aiki]

This seems to be the assumption a lot of posters are making. That I have specific sins in mind. I don't. From experience I have learnt that I have a tendency to sin. I know I cant erase all sin, so I am praying for minimisation rather than perfection.

Doesn't this seem to you to be setting the bar rather low? Why not aim for perfection? Even though you aren't going to hit it, chances are you'll get farther along in doing so, you'll get closer to the goal of perfection, than you will conceding the battle before you've even started. You're doing damage control rather than working to be holy as God is holy. And what about what the Bible says about the Christian's victory over sin?

Romans 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

The apostle Paul didn't have the sort of attitude toward sin that you've adopted. He is clear that the believers to whom he was writing should not live in sin. He goes on to say to the Roman church:

Romans 6:6-7
6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Paul isn't talking damage control here. He's talking about what Christ has already accomplished for every believer concerning sin. So, who's got the right of it? You or him?

Selah.

 

[toLiJC]

Can we repent for future sins? I mean it might sound outrageous to you but I am quite serious. Unfortunately I know I am going to sin again, no matter how hard I try. I can try to sin less, would be more realistic.
"Dear Lord I apologise for all the sins I committed and the ones I might commit in the future. With your help I will be less sinful and more like you."

it would be more correct to pray that God remove the sins from us so that we cannot sin in the future

Blessings

 

[Grandpa2390]

Certainly we can stop sinning, otherwise Lord Jesus wouldn't have asked us to do so...

• First consider the verse, "Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21.
• Consider the verse, "Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
• Consider the verse, "And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:16-17.

Luther believed we should "sin boldly", where's he now?
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Blessed Maria Serafina Micheli told us where he went after death.

No one said to sin boldly.
Read 1 John. it is a book full of scriptures that are actually relevant to the topic.

1 Cor 6:9-10 is referring to those who live in a pattern of sin. Where sin is the norm of their life. as opposed to Christians, who sin, but it is by mistake rather than by purpose.

for example: a liar is not someone who tells a lie, but someone who is always lying.

 

[1213]

Can we repent for future sins?...

Perhaps, but maybe it would be good not to be anxious about tomorrows.

Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.
Matt. 6:34

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

The question is Can we repent for future sin? I would have to say No. When one repent there should be sincere regret and a change of heart not to do something again. Now, I can see someone asking for forgiveness beforehand. Example: I can see someone saying Father, I'm about to do this and I know it's wrong and I ask you to forgive me. My flesh is weak..... This person knows it is wrong but hasn't had the change of heart that comes with repenting that will cause them to stop. So, no we can't repent for future sins but perhaps we can ask for forgiveness for future sins. Just my opinion

Repentance means turning from a past direction, understanding that it was destructive of self and/or others and thus not in God's will. When it comes to the future, we should pray about our upcoming temptations as Jesus taught: "Lead us not into temptation [meaning-- lead us away from temptation] and deliver us from evil..."

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Doesn't this seem to you to be setting the bar rather low?

Not at all. In fact, the pressure of meeting the ideal, makes people like me give up. We need a more realistic approach which encourages effort and improvement rather than demanding perfection.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

Not at all. In fact, the pressure of meeting the ideal, makes people like me give up. We need a more realistic approach which encourages effort and improvement rather than demanding perfection.

Good point. Spiritual growth (or sanctification) is a gradual process, not a once and for all done deal. Sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. But never should we lose faith in the One with the power and the will to get us exactly to where we should be. We cannot perfect ourselves, only God can finish the job. The Lord is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

 

[paul becke]

I'm in two mind as to whether creating an ideal to lived up to is a good thing. Ideally we obey all the commandments all the time and never feel separate from God. Ideally we love God and neighbour as ourselves in the right way, always and everywhere.
But for those of us predisposed to perfectionism as part of our personality, we are bound to feel inadequate . That we cant live up to those ideals. So there is where my prayer life needs to improve dramatically I know.
Imagine if the Gospels were written like this "try to love your neighbour if you can. Its tough but do your best anyway" I'd feel that God was at least taking my humanity into consideration.

Feeling inadequate over against God's infinite perfection is a good feeling to have I think. I find it so, Paul, though I hope that's not the reason ! (But it does mean I tread a fine line in relation to that most seminal of sins, presumption, and must be careful). It is, I'm inclined to believe, part of the reason why I can't feel downcast when I go to confession. I might have mentioned, I worshipped my older and only brother, when he was living in this life - still do, though I'll tone it down a bit and say idolise .... No ! Drat, I can't say that either ! But God knows what I mean. Anyway, I would not want to be a better man than him. I'm not sure about being as good. Since he's not God, maybe - as long as I still looked up to him.

 

[GillDouglas]

Can we repent for future sins? I mean it might sound outrageous to you but I am quite serious. Unfortunately I know I am going to sin again, no matter how hard I try. I can try to sin less, would be more realistic.
"Dear Lord I apologise for all the sins I committed and the ones I might commit in the future. With your help I will be less sinful and more like you."

John Wesley's mother, Susanna Wesley, used to spank all of her children first thing in the morning for the bad things they would do that day. Seemed to work out alright.

 

[Dr Bruce Atkinson]

I'm in two mind as to whether creating an ideal to lived up to is a good thing. Ideally we obey all the commandments all the time and never feel separate from God. Ideally we love God and neighbour as ourselves in the right way, always and everywhere.
But for those of us predisposed to perfectionism as part of our personality, we are bound to feel inadequate . That we cant live up to those ideals. So there is where my prayer life needs to improve dramatically I know.
Imagine if the Gospels were written like this "try to love your neighbour if you can. Its tough but do your best anyway" I'd feel that God was at least taking my humanity into consideration.

As a young man I was quite the perfectionist, and as a Christian, quite discouraged. I think God wants to keep us humble but not discouraged. If I were able to obey perfectly, I would get a big head and feel superior to others (a dangerous sin). So it is a blessing that I cannot obey perfectly. God knows my heart, I repent when I mess up, and I know God forgives His children when they repent. His commitment to me is what really counts, not my ability to obey perfectly. That is what faith is about (faith in His love, not faith in my ability).

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

If I were able to obey perfectly, I would get a big head

good point. God certainly doesn't want us to get a big head.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

His commitment to me is what really counts, not my ability to obey perfectly. That is what faith is about (faith in His love, not faith in my ability).

another good point! please don't get a big head though!

 

[aiki]

If I were able to obey perfectly, I would get a big head and feel superior to others (a dangerous sin).

Then you wouldn't be obeying perfectly, would you? And so you'd have no reason for a big head.

 

[Tomm]

Yes that is true. 1 John.

Certainly we can stop sinning, otherwise Lord Jesus wouldn't have asked us to do so...

• First consider the verse, "Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21.
• Consider the verse, "Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
• Consider the verse, "And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:16-17.

Luther believed we should "sin boldly", but where's he now (Heaven or Hell) ?
Do you wish to know?
In fact, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Blessed Maria Serafina Micheli had visions of where Luther went after death.

 

[Grandpa2390]

Certainly we can stop sinning, otherwise Lord Jesus wouldn't have asked us to do so...

• First consider the verse, "Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21.

• Consider the verse, "Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
• Consider the verse, "And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:16-17.

Luther believed we should "sin boldly", but where's he now (Heaven or Hell) ?

Once again. NOBODY is saying you should sin boldly.

I'm not going to argue with you and your legalism. Read 1 John. It is a very short book.

if you say you do not sin, you are a liar. We are commanded not to sin, but if we do we have an advocate with the father. our sin is covered by the blood of Jesus. Our unrighteousness is made righteous if we are a true follower of Christ. a person who "sins boldly" is not a true follower of Christ. You will find that in 1 John as well.

A true follower of Christ strives to live a sinless life but will inevitably fail because we are not saved by works. And we are still in a mortal, fallen body. Not until we are transformed.
So, if you are a true christian, you are striving to live a holy life, and when you stumble (and you most definitely will), Jesus is there to forgive that sin. If you believe you must be sin-free rather than sin-forgiven to qualify for salvation... no one will make it.

Do you wish to know?
In fact, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Blessed Maria Serafina Micheli had visions of where Luther went after death.

lol, you believe this kind of stuff...?

 

[Sketcher]

I humbly ask for grace when confronted with a situation in which I know I will be tempted.

 

[Alithis]

it would be more correct to pray that God remove the sins from us so that we cannot sin in the future

Blessings

No .it's more correct to repent. God has already done All that was required to set us free by the obedience of the Lord Jesus.
Repentance is not saying sorry then doing it again.

 

[Grandpa2390]

No .it's more correct to repent. God has already done All that was required to set us free by the obedience of the Lord Jesus.
Repentance is not saying sorry the doing it again.

Repentance is saying sorry with the intent of never doing it again. If you committed the sin again after repenting, then you need to repent again.

You should always be seeking forgiveness for your sin with the intent of never committing them again.