A question about sin...?

Question

According to the Bible, Jesus will forgive all our sins if we ask for forgiveness. Does that mean that we should just sin as much as we want and then ask forgiveness for it all? In the book Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, one of the most evil characters wasn’t bothered by all of his atrocious acts because he had a bishop (I believe) who would always absolve his sins. Has the promise of forgiveness become an excuse to sin without fear or reprisal?

Answer 1

Hola Zara (y Paco),

Since you have prefaced your questions with "According to the Bible . . . ," let's keep in that context for the answers. In your first question, you ask if we SHOULD sin. Since "should" is a normative term, meaning something ought to be, then the answer should be obvious: No! The second part of your first question is similarly obvious; yes, we should ask forgiveness for all our sin.

The second question is more interesting. For many people, I think they do use the promise of forgiveness as an excuse, or as license, to sin. This seems not to be a defect of the promise, but a misunderstanding on the part of those who act as if they had license. One who has received such forgiveness should respond with a grateful and joyful heart, not with a presumptive or hardened heart which shows little sorrow for the offenses that have been committed. It's reasonable to wonder whether a person has appropriated the promise of forgiveness if that person's life does not reflect it. Such a person should be wondering the same thing.

Keeping with your preface, if you care anything for what the Bible says, rather than just my opinions, I quote the following:

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Answer 2

First, let's consider what sin is. The bible is no help because it is self-contradictory (and in many places, simply wrong.) So sin is best viewed as an immoral act, which may be defined as one that is detrimental to society. Obviously, this includes things like stealing and murder, which are prohibited by law, as well as some things that are bad (but not so bad as to be legally prohibited). You probably have a reasonably good idea of the sorts of acts that you would consider sinful.
So, why to avoid such acts, other than the fear of legal prosecution? Most people would rather advance society because doing so makes them feel good. If you've ever found a purse and returned it to its owner, chances are you feel good about having done so, whether or not the owner gave you a reward for doing so. And that's the bottom line: avoid sin, because you will be comfortable with yourself if you do. By my take, that's living the good life.

Answer 3

If this is your approach towards having freedom on earth, but still ending up in Heaven after you die, it's somewhat flawed. If you want to be with God after you die, you need to want that. Living a life of sin and repenting at the last minute will not likely help, since asking for forgiveness without a sincere heart is not accepting Christ. Also, as someone else mentioned, you might not get the chance. You never know what will happen tomorrow.

Answer 4

"I’ll wait until I am old, then I’ll get right with God."

You may not get the chance. God may just lose patience with you and end your life. Perhaps you don’t think He would do such a thing. Then read Genesis 38:7 to see how God killed a man who was wicked. Jesus told of a man who boasted that he had so many goods that he would have to build bigger barns. God called the man a fool and took his life that night.

Those who say they will repent in their own time lack the fear of God. Their understanding of His nature is erroneous. If they caught a glimpse of His holiness, His righteousness, and His consuming justice, they wouldn’t trifle with His mercy. Such arrogance needs to be confronted with the thunders of Mount Sinai. He is not wise who thinks he can outwit his Creator, enjoy a lifetime of sin, and repent at the last minute. Deathbed repentance is very rare. God killed a husband and wife because they told a lie (Acts 5:1–10). He lost patience with them. Most people think that God’s patience is eternal. It evidently is not.

The Bible says that it is through the fear of the Lord that men depart from sin (Proverbs 16:6). If they don’t fear God, they will be complacent about their eternal salvation (Matthew 10:28).

Answer 5

I think that in many cases people confuse God and Religion for a court of law, or a parent, a friend, or a school teacher. I think that it'd be pretty hard to lie to the omnimpotent, it would take more than a little fast talking to pull the wool over the eyes of God.

There is a major difference between an apology, an admission of guilt....and actual remorse.

Answer 6

Dear,
Thank you for your answer.
First let me tell you the fact that we all have human bodies. Because our bodies and minds are connected, every deed of your body and mind makes some change in your body and mind. To put it more clearly, if you do some sport for one month, your body will be well-shaped and healthy. if you recite and think every morning and evening good and positive thoughts, your mind will be positive. So, every your deed has some effect on your mind and body.
If you indulge too much in sex, your body will get used to it and you will experience various changes. For example, if you masturbate every day, you will become lazy and your body will lose strenght. Here is obvious how sin can change your life for worse.
If you speak evil words and make evil deeds, they will become habit of your mind. Step by step, you will lose your friends or make them unhappy. Also, if you lose harmony in your body and mind and if you lose harmony with your surrounding, you will suffer as a result of evil recompense of your bad deeds. So, sins of speech, thought and deed make very fast recompense.
Let us say that you love somebody but because of your sinful mind you insult him/her or make him/her suffer. As a result, you will lose your love, you will suffer and your lover will find another lover. When you get old you may be together but your life will go invain.
Your question may be changed into this: When I should be happy - now or when I get old? If you do not sin, you will be happy all your life; if you sin you will suffer all your life and be happy (if your repent profoundly enough) only when you are old.
There is not happiness in sin. The devil gives you little to take your fortune. It is not good bussiness.
God gives you eternal happiness and devil gives you something that seems like happiness but it is not. If you see and feel real happiness, you will no longer want to make sin. True love is eternal happiness.

Answer 7

Unfortunately a lot of so called Christians do use the promise of forgivenss. But the whole key to salvation is acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior. That means Christ becomes a part of you and when that happens you change. Not instantly, not one big CHANGE, but bit by bit. So if you do use the promise of forgiveness to commit sin then its doubtful that Christ is a part of you.

Answer 8

Yes thats exactly what it means, to hardcore christains too. Dont let them LIE and say that they wouldn't ask forgivness for ALL their SINS. and most wouldn't stop from sinning because its all just a freaking game to them. Do anything you want, just ask for forgivness. Hell, i dont even bother to ask for forgivness anymore, cause jesus isn't real.

Answer 9

No, our time here on earth is also a test, to see how we worship him, how we imput him into our lives. There are supposedly different levels of Heven, for the different level of worshipers. Like priests & preachers, nuns. Then on down. If you just keep on sinning then you truely arent sorry when you ask for fogiveness. He would know your heart and how you truly feel.

Answer 10

Maybe sinning for the sake of being able to and be granted forgiveness after is the one sin that cannot be "erased" ??

I've wondered that as well...