You and I and Every Christian needs to Repent

Christians nowadays are being led astray by the teaching: “once saved, always saved”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A scary majority of people who are Christians fail to understand the true meaning of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us on the cross. I’ve heard many many professing Christians say that since they are saved, they are immune from the negative effects of any sin they do in their lives. Now there are some fundamental reasons why so many people believe this way:

1. Faith is what saves us, not our good works

People think that since our salvation is not brought about by our good works but rather by our faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), a sinless lifestyle is no longer a requirement.

1. It is impossible to be perfectly sinless, so why even bother trying?

Then there’s the set of people who think that it is impossible for a mere human to achieve the sinless nature of Jesus Christ Himself to the fullest extent, so it is meaningless to try to avoid certain sins, since that would be like picking and choosing apparently.

All of these are heresies. Yes, salvation is a gift given unto us by faith alone and not through works. BUT, does that mean that you and I are no longer accountable for choosing to sin in our lives?

Yes, it is incredibly difficult to achieve the level of purity and sinless nature of Jesus Christ Himself, but are we using that as a means to justify sins that we cannot seem to let go of? There are certain things about our human nature that may not let us become completely holy, little things like accidentally resenting someone for their wrong doing even if for a little while before finally choosing to forgive them, or white lies we all say on a daily basis to avoid hurting someone else. However, there are so many other sins that we can choose NOT to incorporate in our lives.

Still think that you can continue in your sin once you have said the prayer of repentance because that gives you a “ticket to heaven”? Read the Bible verses below:

• Jesus, after forgiving the woman accused of adultery: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11) 

He didn’t just say that she’s forgiven and all’s well. He told her to no longer sin as she did before.

• “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
• “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” 

  (Galatians 5:16-17)

• “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24, 25)

Do not be deceived by the wrong teachings, brothers and sisters. Whatever you hear from a preacher or pastor, always double check with the word of God to see if it is indeed the truth. Repent daily. Ask God to cleanse your heart and soul. Ask for forgiveness for anything and everything in your life that angers Him or saddens Him. Crucify Him not again, but rather flee from all sin and evil that takes us farther away from our heavenly Father. God bless!

-Stenila Simon