The Christian’s new relationship with God changes his position before God. God the Judge becomes God the Father. In today’s text, Pastor Paul continues to expand on verse 4 and how believers experience God as Father in their transformed relationship by the saving work of the Holy Spirit.
If God had forgiven us of our sins at our conversion, why is Jesus teaching us to continue asking for forgiveness? At conversion, our original sin from Adam was forgiven. And even though we’ve been saved, why do Christians still sin?
Christians sin because they are forgiven sinners. Sin will remain until glory. And when a believer sins in this life, God may discipline but they will not be led to death or punished for it. This is the difference between the saved and unsaved.
Christians cannot practice sin or habitually sin. For example, an adulterer claims to be saved but continues to live as an adulterer after their supposed transformation (1 Jn. 3:6). Even though the Bible never states that believers are sinless until they’re in heaven, their love toward sin changes to hatred for sin as God hates sin. In other words, everyone is enslaved to sin but salvation produces freedom from the slavery of sin.
The reason why Christians might disobey and be in sin is because they are not abiding in Christ. When they are apart from the Lord, sin will be present. Sin must be taken seriously but believers must also remember that their salvation is secured and assured in the Holy Spirit. Despite the sins that Christians commit, the Father identifies the believer with Jesus Christ. The Father sees the righteousness of Christ clothing the believer being justified in him. Therefore, committing sin as a believer does not disqualify them from salvation and eternal life.
Sin was the lifestyle before faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but a confession of sin and ongoing sanctification becomes the new lifestyle post-faith in Christ. Christian, be encouraged also that when we do fall into the temptation to sin, Jesus is our Advocate and will point to his finished work on the cross because our sins have been charged to his account and paid in full.
God’s forgiveness is loving and complete. The Christian’s life is a life of repentance and this is not to be ashamed of. Rather, it is a way to meet the Lord and experience his grace and mercy.
Confession leads to forgiveness. God is ready to forgive those who come before him with sincere hearts to confess and repent of their sins. God’s grace abounds more than our sins. So, confess daily and this becomes the mark of a true Christian!
Confession brings God’s sure blessings. When God forgives, he forgives and blesses us with more than we deserve.
Confession increases our confidence before God. The power of genuine confession allows God to demonstrate his abundant grace and rich mercy. It doesn’t matter what the sin is.
Confession empowers you to overcome the power of sin. Confession invites God into your life and his Spirit helps you to fight and overcome any sin.
Those who are forgiven much will love and forgive others much. In contrast, those who are forgiven little will forgive others little. The best gift a Christian is given is the ability to forgive others. Our God is a forgiving Father; therefore, we, too, must be characterized by a forgiving heart.
”The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.“ Lamentations 3:22-23
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