question that is bugging me... maybe you too

[Cocoa1080]

OK I try not to sin because I feel guilty, like my conscience tells me not too, but why should we repent?? sometimes when i do I feel I am slipping into salvation by works plus faith in Jesus (I know that is wrong)...I don't want to sin though, I hate the idea of me going back to my old self but I feel like if I am not repenting or have some sin that I still do and don't know it that I won't be saved. I know Acts 17:30.. God calls all men to repent, and we should repent because Christ saved us from the law and we are dead to sin how can we live in it any longer (Romans 6) but sometimes I feel like I am still under the curse of the law, like that if I do not repent and find every little sin I ever do each day (some probally without knowing) that I will not be saved. OR if I do repent of it I feel that I am some how adding my way to heaven (Totally wrong)... I tried telling myself repent to show God you love him but I fear that if I allow my actions to be the measure of my inward relationship with Christ, I am living under the constraints of legalism.


ok so kinda confused in my head with some stuff... please don't rail me haha I am not some carnal Christian who won't give up a sin, just wondering and wanting some good advice on why we repent (I got so far : God hates sin, Our sin made Christ die, Our sin separates us from God)


God Bless

[twelvesmaster]

Read the first chapter of 1 John. It talks about how we are to respond to sin in our lives. To me, it has this idea of the whole process of dealing with our sinful natures being a continual, daily battle, IMO. In other words, if someone says to you -- "I don't sin anymore because I'm saved." -- from what I understand this scripture to be saying, they are not being truthful.

[newname]

Hi Cocoa! Good Morning!

I know what you are saying....and I also know that that type of living can be a real torment to the mind and heart. That definitely isn't the torment that God wants for your life! So, there must be a good answer to all of this. Let me recommend a couple of good books that speak directly to this area --- perhaps they will be a help to you.

1. The Discipline of Grace
2. The Pursuit of Holiness

Both of them are by Jerry Bridges and I believe they could be helpful to you. The books are kind of supplemental to eachother, so you'd probably want to read both.

First and foremost, ask God to reveal a peace to you in this area. You are under the precious graces of God! You are his child! Think of a parent with their baby.....are they going to let anything happen to that baby? Do they not love that baby with all of their heart and want the very best for it? Of course! And God's love is INFINITELY more powerful that the love of a human parent for their child! There is great security in this! Just know that God has you in his hand and he loves you dearly and wants the best for you! This is grace! There is a great comfort in heart if you will see God as a loving Father who will never let you go!

Now, as far as repenting and forgiveness. We have to be careful not to confuse doing good works to EARN God's love/salvation with coming to God for forgiveness. Repentance is not a 'good work' (as defined by the Bible) nor does it EARN you salvation.

Being forgiven is not a one time event --- it is an ongoing thing throughout our entire christian life. Our past sins are washed away when we are baptized, but Christ continues to forgive us our sins every day!!!

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


As we continue in our faithful walk with Christ, His blood cleanses us from EVERY sin --- this leaves us with a perfect security, peace, and joy! Really let this truth get into your heart Cocoa. You are PERFECTLY forgiven as you continue to walk in faith with Christ. He is FAITHFUL and JUST -- he always forgives!

The fact that you want to obey God's commands shows that you love Christ and that you are walking with him. Therefore, continue striving for holiness, because without holiness no one will see the Lord , but also, rest FULLY in the amazing GRACE of God, realizing that it is God himself that is working through you to accomplish this.


:hug



Brent

[Jany]

Just remember that there is not a sin that can keep a true believer out of heaven. God's Word clearly states that some Christians will be saved "so as by fire." They lose everything except their salvation. Because of it, they will be "ashamed" in Christ's presence (1 John 2:28).

Rewards are lost because of disobedience and disobedience is sin (Rom 5:19; James 4:17) <><

[jesuslover1968]

Just remember that there is not a sin that can keep a true believer out of heaven. God's Word clearly states that some Christians will be saved "so as by fire." They lose everything except their salvation. Because of it, they will be "ashamed" in Christ's presence (1 John 2:28).

Rewards are lost because of disobedience and disobedience is sin (Rom 5:19; James 4:17) <><

a TRUE believer repents of his/her sin. A believer who sins and does not repent isn't a child of God. Remember, even demons profess Jesus is the Son of God. Just believing In Jesus is not salvation. Believing, having faith and being obedient. We don't do works to BE saved. We do works because we ARE saved. If there are no works, there is no salvation. We will know them by their fruit.

[Paidfor]

Salvation is what you have been given by God through your faith in Christ. I personally expect to continue repenting as long as I live in this flesh, as the Spirit keeps convicting me of sin.

1Cr 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but {only} one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
1Cr 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then {do it} to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
1Cr 9:26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
1Cr 9:27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

In the 27th verse above from Corinthians 9, Paul is not afraid of losing his salvation. Paul is striving to win the prize. I don't know exactly what the prize is, but I believe we will not be disappointed. The prize is not salvation. If it were, it would contradict a very large amount of Paul's other writings.

He is talking about discipline, becoming a disciple. This is work. It requires effort and focus on our part to attain it. So don't be ashamed before God when you feel the conviction of the HS. Embrace it, thank God for it and use it to discipline yourself. Run to win as Paul says.

[Jany]

a TRUE believer repents of his/her sin. A believer who sins and does not repent isn't a child of God. Remember, even demons profess Jesus is the Son of God. Just believing In Jesus is not salvation. Believing, having faith and being obedient. We don't do works to BE saved. We do works because we ARE saved. If there are no works, there is no salvation. We will know them by their fruit.
I believe you are not listening to what I am saying <><

[Mitsy]

Why should I repent?

My answer is not a theology based one but I hope that helps.

When I repent of sinning I basically do two things.

(1) I recognise what I did was Sin.

(2) It humbles me before the Lord.

By doing this I keep myself in a right position before the Lord.

Jesus was humble and obedient, he didn't need forgiveness for His sins but he remained in submission to His Father. That's the place we need to remain in, humble submission. Repentance helps us remain there.

That is how I see it.