Question about forgiveness of sin

[SaraLee]

I've been doing some studying on the subject of asking God for forgiveness of sin and the importance of being repentant of our sins. It said that repentance is a big thing and that repentance means we not only acknowledge our wrong but that we are willing to lean our hearts toward God more and more and make continual imporvement towards not repeating that sin.

So my question is, if we ask for forgiveness but truly are not repentan but only going through the motion of asking, is our sin truly forgiven?

If so, this freaks me a bit because it would mean we could go on sinning and sinning no matter if we try to work towards not repeating the sin again or not.

Can anyone help explain this more fully to me? Thanks.

SaraLee

 

[Sketcher]

If we're truly not repentant, God sees through that. People can lie to God, but they can't fool Him.

 

[Merlin]

we are willing to lean our hearts toward God more and more and make continual imporvement towards not repeating that sin.

You stated the important point: we are willing
The point is not that we become perfect in and of ourselves, but rather that we are willing to give up that part of our way to God, and let Him change us.

 

[SaraLee]

Thanks for your replies. Okay, I think I got both points. We can't fool God if we are faking our repentance and if that is the case, our sin is NOT forgiven. But if we are willing to give up that part of our way to God, and let Him change us then our sin is forgiven.

SaraLee

 

[Sketcher]

Yep. That's it.

 

[Calminian]

Hi Sara. Just a couple more thoughts for you to ponder. Repentance literally means to turn around. It has to do with a change of mind or decision of the mind. In regard to faith, it's often described as the other side of the same coin. When we placed our faith in God, we changed our mind about Him. We turned to face Him and after that attempt to walk forward. At the same time and indeed at the same moment, we also changed our mind about sin. We turned our backs toward it, and attempt to walk away from it. Do we always succeed in walking away from sin and toward God?? I don't, and I guarantee you won't. Faith and repentance are the turning, works are the walking forward. You'll find in your christian walk that many days you're walking backward toward sin. But where are you facing? Do you hate your sin? Do you have the heart of Paul in Romans 7? These are signs that you are facing the right way and therefore can trust that God will help you regain those steps.

Thought maybe this metaphor might help. It's helped me!

 

[SaraLee]

Yes Calminian, the metaphor is helpful. Thank you for the vivid picture of what repentance is and how it works. Being a visual person, I will keep that image in my mind and heart and if or when I stumble, I know at least I'm facing in the right direction.

SaraLee

 

[Calminian]

I don't see a christian icon on your profile. Are you a new christian? Sorry just curious.

 

[Rafael]

Paul struggled with sin terribley and realized that the sin nature would always be with him as long as he lived in the body of death we all live in as man that is our temporary tent or tabernacle. Our permanent bodies are compared to mansions that Jesus said He went to prepare. They will not have any sin or death associated to them to influence the soul to sin - making demands of it as the flesh does so often. See verses, all in New Living Translation:

Romans 7:15 - 8:1 I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

As the others have advised, repentance is a process of battle against the flesh of sin and death and the evil that results of its wickedness, working upon the mind and soul of man. We fight the good fight of faith against that side of ourselves in battle and never just lie down in our sins, making repentance only a ritual or game we play that may eventually regard the blood of Jesus and His work at the cross lightly. Sometimes we have a great day of victory and sometimes we feel like Paul and confess how rotten we are in the old nature when it wins out. Either way, we must never give up our faith in God, but contend for it vigorously.
Let me add that we could never overcome sin and death without the blood of the lamb, and our testimony is that we have fought the good fight of faith against sin and death with God's help.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

We know that God sees all things but is quick and merciful to forgive seven times seven and more....

Ga 6:7 Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

 

[SaraLee]

Yes I am a Christian raised and baptized Luthern but did not attend for many years. About 8 months ago I began attending a local Baptist church and going to Bible study but I have a lot of questions since I was away for so long. But when I registered I put down that I was a searcher, lol, meaning searching for answers but since I labeled myself as that, I can't get into the Christian section and post. I think that is what happened.

And I don't know about putting icons on the screen. (a nauvice at things like that). I'd like to be able to get into the Christian area if that is possible. Can that be changed? And maybe I can learn about the icons in time as well.
Thanks,
SaraLee

 

[SaraLee]

Paul struggled with sin terribley and realized that the sin nature would always be with him as long as he lived in the body of death we all live in as man that is our temporary tent or tabernacle. Our permanent bodies are compared to mansions that Jesus said He went to prepare. They will not have any sin or death associated to them to influence the soul to sin - making demands of it as the flesh does so often. See verses, all in New Living Translation:

Romans 7:15 - 8:1 I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

As the others have advised, repentance is a process of battle against the flesh of sin and death and the evil that results of its wickedness, working upon the mind and soul of man. We fight the good fight of faith against that side of ourselves in battle and never just lie down in our sins, making repentance only a ritual or game we play that may eventually regard the blood of Jesus and His work at the cross lightly. Sometimes we have a great day of victory and sometimes we feel like Paul and confess how rotten we are in the old nature when it wins out. Either way, we must never give up our faith in God, but contend for it vigorously.
Let me add that we could never overcome sin and death without the blood of the lamb, and our testimony is that we have fought the good fight of faith against sin and death with God's help.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

We know that God sees all things but is quick and merciful to forgive seven times seven and more....

Ga 6:7 Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

Rafael, thanks. Paul does give a good description of how he grappled with his sinful side. I've read it in the past but this was a good refresher for me.

SaraLee

 

[heron]

There's so much on this site to get used to! Go into control panel, edit your profile (I think!), then in the denomination area, you can change your faith setting.

It sounds like exciting changes are going on. Was the transition to Baptist friends/conversations smooth? It's good to find a group of believers that make church worth going to.

In addition to what others said, think about forgiveness as one of the challenges to faith. It's very difficult to let go of our standards and allow God to forgive us. Sometimes it's harder for me when the flaw is neglect, than when it's an obvious sin.

Recognize that acting on faith includes believing that God will forgive you. If you take His word as true, then you are forgiven when you repent. Even though it's always up to Him, He has already promised it. Stand on that.

When we don't accept forgiveness, it's very difficult to move on effectively. Imagine Peter or Paul not healing people because they were afraid God didn't love or accept them. It takes a little leap to keep going.​

 

[Calminian]

Yes I am a Christian raised and baptized Luthern but did not attend for many years. About 8 months ago I began attending a local Baptist church and going to Bible study but I have a lot of questions since I was away for so long.

That's great to hear. Your local church is a key factor in your growth as a christian. I trust God has lead you to the right group.

But when I registered I put down that I was a searcher, lol, meaning searching for answers but since I labeled myself as that, I can't get into the Christian section and post. I think that is what happened.

And I don't know about putting icons on the screen. (a nauvice at things like that). I'd like to be able to get into the Christian area if that is possible. Can that be changed? And maybe I can learn about the icons in time as well.
Thanks,
SaraLee

I'm not actually sure if you can upgrade to christian status on your own or if you need the assistance of an admin. I would try, but if that fails contact a mod or administrator and ask for help.

 

[heron]

I'm not actually sure if you can upgrade to christian status on your own or if you need the assistance of an admin. I would try, but if that fails contact a mod or administrator and ask for help.

Oh, sorry if I misled you. You can find a mod by looking at who is active on the thread's subforum right now. Then click their name.

http://www.christianforums.com/f74

 

[Adstar]

We are forgiven because we believe and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Repentance is a change in attitude towards God. A change from rebelliousness and resistance to Him to an attitude of acceptance and desire to do His will.

Just because we change our attitude towards God does not mean we become perfect sinless people. It just means that we hate what is against His will and Love what His will is. We will continue to fall down and sin but as long as we have the right attitude towards God (a repentant one) then all will be well.

We are not forgiven because of any flowery speeches we make to God, We are forgiven because we have accepted the Messiah Jesus as our Redeemer.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[rocklife]

I've been doing some studying on the subject of asking God for forgiveness of sin and the importance of being repentant of our sins. It said that repentance is a big thing and that repentance means we not only acknowledge our wrong but that we are willing to lean our hearts toward God more and more and make continual imporvement towards not repeating that sin.

So my question is, if we ask for forgiveness but truly are not repentan but only going through the motion of asking, is our sin truly forgiven?

If so, this freaks me a bit because it would mean we could go on sinning and sinning no matter if we try to work towards not repeating the sin again or not.

Can anyone help explain this more fully to me? Thanks.

SaraLee

those are right observations. We cannot habitually keep sinning. Asking forgiveness for doing something you believe is wrong, then doing it again, means nothing. If your spouse commits adultery on you, and they beg your forgiveness, and you forgive them, but then a year later they go out and have an affair again, how do you feel? That spouse hasn't learned much, and is horribly breaking up your marriage.

I recommend reading all New Testament, but for a short reply, 1 John 3:6 "No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him." by sin, that is a habitual repeated sin, not accidental mistake (even for these we should seek to make amends as needed)

Jesus has more power than the devil. God can give us victory over sin. He gives the Holy Spirit to help guide us into His way, He does not leave us powerless and alone. The New Testament will help us know Him if we seek Him prayerfully.

 

[Rafael]

It is good that we do not take repeating of sins lightly and come forward to confess them, one to another - that we struggle in battle against the sin nature that dwells inside our flesh. until we have that new body from God that is clean and clear from death completely, we have to press forward in faith, trusting that God's power through the blood of the lamb will keep us safe inside His fold.
Although we are often beaten down by sin and suffer the consequences of years of sowing to the flesh, we must never despair or give up the hope we have in God. Sometimes faith flags and wavers, but hope, too, is eternal. Cling to it and remember how loving our Father is close to the contrite and broken hearted over sin. His word says that He will not turn aside the contrite hearted.

Ps 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed [contrite] in spirit.

Ps 51:17 The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.

Heb 10:35 Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!