Does He *continue* to forgive sin?

[CutiePi]

I feel sort of as if the forgiveness is a "one-time thing" so to speak... that at the point in time when we are each saved, that it becomes a dividing line... that He forgives at that point all the sin before then... but does He continue to forgive us the "new-sins" from each and every day?

I feel as if that since His dieing on the cross happened once, and was a one-time-thing... that the forgiveness is also just a one-time thing...

People say that "He has forgiven all your sins"... but does this mean the 'brand-new' ones as well?

I realize that this is probably the wrong way of looking at it, but I can't convince myself otherwise... I dont know where in the bible to look that addresses this...


Also... does He ever give up on us? I know... I know that He never stops loving us. But does He ever give up on us - either in part with regards to specific areas, or in general?

People also say that just because He has forgiven us (and continues to do so) that its not a license to go out and do whatever because we should be striving to do and be better. But what if in certain areas we are content to stagnate and not strive... would He give up on us with regards to that area?


When He does help us, and there is that little voice in the back of your head... If we ignore it, it tends to get quieter and quieter and harder to hear.... is that Him giving up on us? or us shutting Him out?


I welcome any and all advice/thoughts/replies.... um... if possible, please support your reply with specific scripture if possible... I want to know where to look that actually deals with these particular issues.


Edit: I don't know if I posted this in the right place... If not, could a mod please move it to a more appropriate place?

 

[St_Worm2]

I feel sort of as if the forgiveness is a "one-time thing" so to speak... that at the point in time when we are each saved, that it becomes a dividing line... that He forgives at that point all the sin before then... but does He continue to forgive us the "new-sins" from each and every day?

I feel as if that since His dieing on the cross happened once, and was a one-time-thing... that the forgiveness is also just a one-time thing...

People say that "He has forgiven all your sins"... but does this mean the 'brand-new' ones as well?

I realize that this is probably the wrong way of looking at it, but I can't convince myself otherwise... I dont know where in the bible to look that addresses this...

Hi CutiePi, here are some verses that might help you with forgiveness.

"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" 1 John 1:8-2:1​

​

Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22
​

You continue:

Also... does He ever give up on us? I know... I know that He never stops loving us. But does He ever give up on us - either in part with regards to specific areas, or in general?

"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
​

"The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
​

Hope that helped a bit. Gotta go now, but I'll come back and address more of your post a little later if someone else hasn't already done so.

Yours and His,
David

 

[Harry3142]

CutiePi-

The righteousness needed for salvation isn't our righteousness; it's God's:

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:19-26,NIV)

What we do as a consequence of receiving this gift of salvation is done not out of fear of losing our salvation, but rather out of gratitude for God's making our salvation totally dependent on what he has accomplished through his Son, Jesus Christ, rather than its being dependent on our being 'good enough' in-and-of ourselves.

 

[asiyreh]

You need to take some time and read the Word. I'm thinking the book of Romans in particular. Paul describes the sin problem in depth and says he even suffered from it in chapter 7.

If you are in Christ the Law has lost it's teeth, it no longer stands as a accuser against you. It's funny because all the world is out there running from the law, denying Christ because of it and in reality the Christian is the only one the law can no longer accuse. It would almost be funny if the consequences were not so eternal.

Allowing the Law to accuse you only drags you down into a inevitable spiral of sin. A mountain that cannot be moved. Only faith can move that mountain. Concentrate on Christ, the keeping of the Law will flow naturally from your growing love for him.

Find a ministry for yourself and devote your time to a righteous task, feeding the hungry with the knowledge of Christ and curing the blind with his message of salvation. Soon you'll be so devoted to your new path you'll have little time to sin.

Good luck sis and

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8​

 

[ChristianLife08]

I feel sort of as if the forgiveness is a "one-time thing" so to speak... that at the point in time when we are each saved, that it becomes a dividing line... that He forgives at that point all the sin before then... but does He continue to forgive us the "new-sins" from each and every day?

I feel as if that since His dieing on the cross happened once, and was a one-time-thing... that the forgiveness is also just a one-time thing...

People say that "He has forgiven all your sins"... but does this mean the 'brand-new' ones as well?

I realize that this is probably the wrong way of looking at it, but I can't convince myself otherwise... I dont know where in the bible to look that addresses this...


Also... does He ever give up on us? I know... I know that He never stops loving us. But does He ever give up on us - either in part with regards to specific areas, or in general?

People also say that just because He has forgiven us (and continues to do so) that its not a license to go out and do whatever because we should be striving to do and be better. But what if in certain areas we are content to stagnate and not strive... would He give up on us with regards to that area?


When He does help us, and there is that little voice in the back of your head... If we ignore it, it tends to get quieter and quieter and harder to hear.... is that Him giving up on us? or us shutting Him out?


I welcome any and all advice/thoughts/replies.... um... if possible, please support your reply with specific scripture if possible... I want to know where to look that actually deals with these particular issues.


Edit: I don't know if I posted this in the right place... If not, could a mod please move it to a more appropriate place?

Forgiveness of our sins are constant my friend. Read 1 John 1:9 and perhaps cross reference. Yet, by the cross and the ransom paid, we are justified and sealed by the Spirit once and for all. Halleluyah!

 

[Shulamite7]

Humans are sinful by nature. Our flesh is sinful by nature.

The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
No man is righteous no not one.

Even every good deed done to the best of our ability is only like flithy rags in God's eyes. So you need the Holy Spirit. Pray for a complete filling of the Holy Spirit.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Gal 5:16-18

God will cause things to fall into place in His timing if you follow Him. I have observed this happening in my life. It is a positive sign that you want to please the Lord. Below is a message from God received by a sister in Christ. I believe that will be an answer for you. You can listen to her daily messages at her channel 278pikelk.

LAW CANNOT SAVE.
Am I saying go sin all you want? No!! What I am saying is that in the capacity in which you try to avoid sin in your flesh you insult the FATHER. We are sin... we were born into sin and all have sinful natures. If you say you are without sin, you deceive yourself. The only way we can become righteous to the FATHER is through the SON. Accepting the sacrifice the SON made for our sin. The sin of the WORLD. If we think we can add to this payment that was already made this is pride-full and in error. Your flesh can do NOTHING to please the FATHER. If it could there would be a way to earn salvation. You can not earn salvation. So all who preach the false works based doctrine explain if works equals grace than what is grace? Walking in GOD's love and the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT changes our hearts from fleshy desires and creates in us the desires of the FATHER and in turn we walk in HIS will. We must constantly present our will to the HOLY SPIRIT. By letting HIM lead us in our thought word and deed we can walk as CHRIST walked. You can be "good" in your flesh all day long...GOD doesn't even see it. HE only sees HOLY WORKS produced in us by the HOLY SPIRIT. Fruits produced without the HOLY SPIRIT are no fruits at all. Walking after CHRIST as his follower can only be understood and accomplished by one who has the HOLY SPIRIT. When a believer falls off the path they are operating in their flesh. Have the lost the HOLY SPIRIT then? No they are not presenting their will to the HOLY SPIRIT so HIS hands are tied. One must present his free will over to the HOLY SPIRIT continually otherwise you will find yourself walking in your flesh. If I slip up and walk in my flesh am I then suddenly condemned to HELL?? NO!!! We walk in hope and love longing to serve our FATHER. Our obedience is out of LOVE, not out of obligation to follow the LAW!!!

LAW CANNOT SAVE April 2, 2013 1:12 PM - YouTube

 

[CutiePi]

Thank you all for the replies.. I'll read through the passages that were mentioned.
I'm just in a bit of a tough place right now... getting married in about 3 months and I'm constantly feeling torn between honoring/pleasing my future husband... and honoring God.

 

[ChristianLife08]

Thank you all for the replies.. I'll read through the passages that were mentioned.
I'm just in a bit of a tough place right now... getting married in about 3 months and I'm constantly feeling torn between honoring/pleasing my future husband... and honoring God.

I'm not sure of your circumstance, but allow me to add my two cents.

If you're getting married to an unbeliever, or even a claimed "believer" but isn't showing signs of a christ filled life, then scripture is clear that we ought NOT to marry such people. Do not be unequally yoked the Bible says. So, if that's the case, Lord willing, take time to pray and truly think through your decision b/c your marriage will be unimaginably rough.

May the Lord guide you

 

[Harry3142]

CutiePi-

Christianity stresses having the correct motivations at the core of what we say and do, rather than our blindly obeying any set of laws that all too often can be manipulated by the unsrupulous in order to further their own agendas. St. Paul gave us two lists of motivations; one contained those which are the core of the sinful nature, and the other contained those which are the core of the new nature. It is when we permit the motivations which are the core of the new nature to dictate our words and actions that we have assurance of our own lives conforming to God's will:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26,NIV)

This is our code of conduct if our acceptance of Christ's atoning sacrifice is genuine. Unlike a set of laws this code demands that our entire nature be subdued, and then replaced by a new nature. It is via having the motivations of this new nature as the impetus for what we say and do that our words and actions can be 'in synch' with God's will. Laws can be 'danced around'; motivations can't.

But this code of conduct cannot be artificially created through our own efforts. Just as our original, sinful nature is a natural part of us, the new nature must also be a natural part of us. And that occurs only as a result of our accepting Christ's atoning sacrifice, because upon our acceptance of that sacrifice the Spirit comes to dwell within us, bringing 'the fruit of the Spirit' with him as our new nature, while himself subduing our original one.

So what you need to do is give yourself an examination. Where do your words and actions originate? Is their impetus the motivations listed as 'the fruit of the Spirit'? If it is, then you have assurance that you are indeed following the path that God wants you to walk. But the importance of those motivations as the impetus for your words and actions is underlined by the words which immediately follow their listing: "Against such things there is no law."

 

[Peripatetic]

We are able to overcome some of our sinful patterns, but we all have other areas where we keep struggling with sin. The apostle Paul faced the same frustration as we do, and described it in Romans 7:19. "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." Pride is one that is pretty universal. True humility is not something we ever "achieve"... it's something to keep working towards as long as we live. But we need not lose heart because God is patient with us as He was with Paul.

 

[CutiePi]

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out... I guess I could probably give some background info as to why I'm struggling with this.

I'm not sure of your circumstance, but allow me to add my two cents.

If you're getting married to an unbeliever, or even a claimed "believer" but isn't showing signs of a christ filled life, then scripture is clear that we ought NOT to marry such people. Do not be unequally yoked the Bible says. So, if that's the case, Lord willing, take time to pray and truly think through your decision b/c your marriage will be unimaginably rough.

May the Lord guide you

The biggest thing is that my Fiance and I were living basically as if we were married for probably 6 months. We had a chat with each other about our living situation before we started pre-marital counselling and decided that it would be best if I moved back into my dad's house until we were married. My fiance's biggest reason/motivator for this decision was that he was a youth leader at our church and he didnt feel as if he could continue to do so as we were living - he was having to live a 'double life' to not let it on to his small-group at youth. Now that he has stepped down from the leadership position he is finding that he has less motivation to "be good". Additionally, he derives emotional connection and intimacy from well... sexual touch and closeness, while I derive mine from talking and just being together.
It doenst seem fair to me that while he has to give his up for the most part, I dont - we have stopped sex, not stopped talking.

And while I'm struggling with balancing honouring my finance and honouring God... my finance is also struggling with not viewing us as a married couple.... he said that living apart feels to him like a divorce almost

Its just an all-round sucky situation... <.<

 

[asiyreh]

Lol Cutie. Looking for loopholes. We can't give you then honey, only ask you to follow your own conscience, you are clearly indwelt with the Holy spirit ask him.

Loopholes, loopholes hmmm... I wonder how God would react if you both got down on you knees in prayer. Both dedicated yourselves to one another for all time. And asked the Holy spirit to bind you together as a married couple.

I think however the problem as you finance understood, is that it's how other people would view the practice. We are supposed to be little Christ's in the world, emanating our transformed lives in Jesus. Marriage was viewed as a public covenant between you and your husband that you would love each other for all time forsaking all others.

Marriage represents Christ's covenant with the church so I'd be careful how much you twist and turn to get around it. Allot can be said for patients and self sacrifice, it can make you stronger spiritually.

We've no answers for you really Cutie, you must follow what you know to be right.

 

[Emmy]

Dear CutiePi. If we keep asking forgiveness for our sins, God will forgive us, and as long as God sees that we are trying to overcome our sinning, God will forgive us again and again. God is Love and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. God knows our hearts, and God knows all we think, and if the time comes that we are becoming complacent, God will use stronger ways and means. ( Galatians 6: 7-10) God tells us that God will not be mocked.
We have many years to learn to change into the men and women God wants us to become. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all the heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself."
Jesus points out : " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love, freely given and NO conditions made. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with Love,
also. What does God want us to do? " ask and ye shall receive." Matthew 7: 7-8"
All we say or do, all we advise or stand for, MUST be from Love and Compassion: and we start by treating all we know and all we meet as we would love to be treated: with kindness and always friendly words. God will see our efforts and God will Bless us. God Loves us, and God wants loving
sons and daughters. God will continue to forgive us, until God sees that we
are ignoring God`s Loving advice to us, then comes the time for serious learning. I say this with love, CutiePi. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[parsley]

It sounds like you are made to feel guilty, while it was him that made half the decision. If he was a youth leader, and example to teens, wouldn't you think that his sense of ethics should at least hold him back a little?

A friend was talking about how marriage is treated in some stricter churches, where weddings are simpler and people are told not to get too wrapped up in frivolities.

While I usually encourage simple weddings, she pointed out how that robs the woman, demeaning her desires for a meaningful day. The formalities and fluff of a wedding are not just about the bride, but make the pivotal moment more of a celebration and public statement of commitment.

The guilt associated with women overplanning for the gathering and ceremony is similar to the guilt you are feeling about what you have asked of him -- a small sacrifice to show a lifetime of commitment. You should not feel guilty.

This is possibly the largest decision you will ever have to make, and most weddings get cluttered and suffocated by an abundance of opinions. You need to do what you need to do. It is your decision, your life, your commitment to join with him. Don't allow other people to weaken your resolve, or steer your decisions.

It is interesting how this 70x7 concept ties in with a partnership. We tend to forgive people three times or so before we toss trust aside. While God did in fact arrange for us to be forgiven once, for all... we also relate to Him in the way we relate to humans, knowing God is a personality with feelings, and incarnate, Jesus had normal friendships and moments where His friends needed specific forgiveness (betraying Him, not staying up to pray).

We try to forgive, but limits need to be set or we will get trampled. So we forgive, then forgive with a comment, then forgive with conditions, then mistrust, then declare we mistrust.

With the decision you have made, you might not see that as a forgiveness issue, but you have forgiven him for pushing the limits and trying to guilt you into things. It might not have really seemed like forgiveness, because it sounds like you don't have a lot of people behind you supporting your decision...making it seem like you made a wise one.

Who knows, maybe your father isn't even in agreement... but that's here-nor-there, we don't need to bring him in on it.

When bending our own principles, we tend to stand firmly on 70-80 percent and then give in on 20-30. We don't need to allow that 20%, but we do.