If every sinner can be forgiven, why not just follow impulses and ask forgiveness later?

Question

Why bother trying to be good if forgiveness through prayer and acceptance of Jesus is possible?

So then, if they, whoever they are, know that you are or aren't sorry, why do you need to ask for forgiveness in the first place? Wouldn't they just know that you were sorry and you wouldn't do it again?

Answer 1

Where've you been? The Catholics have been doing that forever.

Answer 2

There are at least two good reasons not to do that. The first is that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. You could get killed in a car accident and never access the forgiveness that God offers through faith in Christ, and as it is written:

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

The second reason is that there are eternal rewards waiting for faithful followers of Jesus Christ. A person who gets saved three weeks before they die isn't going to have the same level of joy and commendation from God when they enter into eternity as someone who has come to Christ earlier on and devoted themselves to serving Him.

This passage refers to the judgment of rewards that all believers will partake of.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat (bema) of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Bema is a Greek word that refers to a raised platform where they handed out prizes at the end of athletic competitions. The judgment seat of Christ is where we who believe will have our lives evaluated to see how well we utilized our time, talents, and treasures in serving Christ. Someone who comes to Christ at the last moment will still be saved but it will be like a man who runs out of a burning building with nothing but the shirt on his back with him.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Answer 3

i operated under this theory for a good portion of my life, but a close call with death changed my opinion. One Sunday my family dressed up for church and left me by myself. About a half hour after they left I experienced a heart or cerebral event. I was sure i was dying . .but of course I didn't. Something became obvious during those moments I thought i would make amends with God.and It would have worked if a dozen different thoughts hadn't swirled through my mind . . who would find me first? were my personal matters in order? would I soiled myself when I died? etc. The point is when you are flirting with death, it's difficult if not impossible to concentrate on prayers of forgiveness.

Answer 4

Yes: there is 'Forgiveness' for the 'Sinner' who truly 'Repents', and accepts Jesus into his/her life: as his/her lord and saviour... but the key word there is 'REPENTS'... LOOK IT UP!!

As has been already said:-

You could have the impulse to do xyz at 11:59am, & be dead and standing before God at 12:00pm, if not 11:59. 0001: before even getting the chance to 'Repent' of your sin!!!

You might think yourself clever my friend: but God is no fool, & will not be mocked!! He will ALWAYS: have the last laugh!!

If you like to gamble, especially with your eternal life or death: want to try playing the game of, ‘having your cake & eating it’ with God... go ahead my friend... & good luck!!

But remember… Hell aint half full yet!!!

Answer 5

God know the heart of man say just saying it doesn't work you have to mean it in your heart and Jesus changes people when you accept him you die on that cross with him and you will be a new creature one who doesn't have a sinful nature you wont want to go and sin and worry about repenting latter and if you were to be in a accident with no chance to repent then what

Answer 6

TRUE repentance only. if you go and do as you please, and ask for forgiveness after wards that does no count, just because there is a loving and forgiving God in heaven, does not mean that we can take advantage of his love.

God knows the intentions of our hearts, and having Jesus in our life is what makes us try to be away for sinful things, and if we fall he promised to forgives us if we ask with a broken and truly sorry heart.

God knows better, lets not take advantage of his love.

God bless!

Answer 7

Christians still have the desire and capacity to sin however as a Christian you received the Gift from God of the Holy Spirit. As you strive to live a Christ like life the Holy Spirit blesses you and ministers to you. To subject your body to a lifestyle of sin would be to suppress the blessings of the Holy Spirit and although you might not endure everlasting punishment you will not be happy and miserable and the Holy Spirit's conviction of that sin will bring you back unto your desired and needed position with God and to God.

Answer 8

that was sort of the whole point Jesus was trying to make while here on this earth. It's not about committing a sin, it's about what's in your heart.

If you are just trying to get away from paying the consequences, then you could obey every single law and still wind up in hell.

Answer 9

Jesus isnt niave.... if you arent sorry you did something, then you wont be forgiven. We are not told to just ask forgiveness but to "repent" which means to consider what you've done, BE sorry. You cant successfully lie to God you know?

Answer 10

Well, when you get to the point where you really love God, you want to sin less and try to please Him more. You reach a state of awareness and spiritual maturity. Of course there will still be times when we fall and sin, that is normal. But to go and intentionally sin, because you know you will be forgiven is not wise. Plus someone who deeply loves God, doesn't want to feel the separation and remorse that comes when we sin and disobey our God, it just not worth it.

Answer 11

because u want to strive to be better just cause u now ur forgiin every time dosent mean u do the same thing u just asked forgiveness for i mean every one has their strougles and has asked for forgiveness but they try to change so they can be more like jesus,but we r lucky he is sooooo forging because wat would u do say if they killed someone lets say someone u no would u wanna forgive them..NO .but thats wat makes GOD soo cool and he forgave all of us when we killed his son sooo thats why u need to try