Why do christians bother abstaining from "sin" if all of their "sins" are already forgiven because of Jesus?

Question

Why do you bother even refraining from "sinfulness" if forgiveness is guaranteed? Is that how it goes? Just because you believe in Jesus, simply believe, that's enough? In plain english this is: infinite pardon, lawlessness.
Where does actual conduct come into play? If "god" forgives all "sins", then why bother repenting for any of them or even bother avoiding them in the first place? Why not just do whatever you want?
Apparently good deeds cannot get you into heaven, you just have to "believe" in jesus, much like believing in apples or lipstick. So why all the questions about "Is this a sin? Is that a sin?" Why does it matter?
What would be the difference if you "sinned" and repented or if you didn't sin at all? Same outcome, right?
And what would be the difference if you repented once a week for ten years vs. repenting once at the end of that same ten year period?
Imagine if the judicial law was like this. Criminals going free because they say they are sorry.

This god doesn't sound "awesome" or merciful. More like a gullible, naive, permissive, anal retentive pushover.
It's basically "Do whatever you want, I just want to hear you say your sorry."
Why bother going through all the rituals if you can just do it whatever you want? Why do people get upset over sin? It's a joke.

How is it NOT an excuse to sin?

Answer 1

Those who accept the atonement God provided are by faith changed to God's righteousness...No longer under law but free to worship God in spirit and truth. We are by faith made new and in agreement with the law. Those who are made new are not in need of a law to show them right from wrong as they are no longer theives and murderers but are by faith made new.

Answer 2

Because committing a sin takes you away from God's glory and the gift of salvation. Salvation is an ongoing process, not a one time thing of saying Jesus is my Savior. When one come to Christ only the past and present sins are forgiven. If one sins again one must seek forgiveness again and repent. There is no "once saved always saved".And one does not want to die with out forgiveness of sins before hand, one can not wait until death to all of a sudden be sorry for all the sins they committed in their life time. There is no death bed repentance.

Answer 3

What would the point of getting saved be if we were just going to live like we were going Hell anyways?

1. You get saved because you are convicted of your sins and your need of God.

2. Once you're saved, God doesn't let your heart slide the way it once did... when you sin, you feel BAD about it and you want to get it right and draw closer to Him.

3. If we all asked forgiveness and then ran right back to sinning, then we weren't really sorry and you didn't really "get right".

4. If we all professed to be "Christians", and then lived in a way similar to the way non-believers do, then how are we proving to them that God is real and has the power to transform lives?

So yes, in one aspect you're right. I'm saved, so I could go out and commit the worst sins imaginable, but because I'm saved... I'll still go to Heaven. But I will answer to God for the way I lived and I'll be miserable with conviction every day of my life. As a Christian, I don't want to hide my face with shame when I stand before Him.

The difference between repenting NOW and waiting to repent is that God knows your heart. Don't think you're the first one who thought "I'll live just how I want to, and when I'm done, I'll get it settled." God can take your life in an instant... and then what? Better to have it settled now, live in a way that pleases Him (and you), and not worry about it.

As to your last part... imagine if man's judicial systems mirrored God's! God has the power to judge you and strike you dead, but He extends mercy and forgiveness towards us every day. All you have to do is repent and ask for salvation... man will never be able to grasp that sort of mercy on his fellow man.

You say God is a pushover... I say THANK GOD. Those who know Him know better than to believe that.

Also, we are all sinners whether we are saved or not. We will always sin... the difference is what you do about it when you're convicted with it.

Answer 4

good question.

my experience is that God has an established judgment policy based on sins. Although sins are indeed forgiven, there is a verse written that says all of us are NUMBERED.
if you sin, that number either increases or decreases. Not knowing all the specifics, I think if a person sins, his number becomes larger. and only the lowest numbers have the better gifts. it all depends on how many sins a person commits.

for example: if a person masterbates 1000 times, he will be a little lower than the person who only masterbated 900 times.
but you have to calculate all the other sins a person does at the same time.

compare all the sins that people do, and you have a high number. compare high numbers with those that dont sin! and you have people who prove their faith and sincerity and they will be given positions of authority over all the rest.

thats what i see. i dont know if it is true or not.

but i have experienced a declining STATUS when sins are commited.

Answer 5

I'm not religioius, but I was indoctrinated into Protestantism when I as a child. After nearly 50 years of life experience, I've observed that the sin paradigm you question is an antiquated way of looking at life.

I think that sin has traditionally been a device for organized religion to get people to continuously improve themselves and be a valualble, contributing member of society. I disagree with the fear component of the "sin paradigm", but I agree with its objective to make us all play nice with each other and to improve ourselves as individuals.

I think how we all see that same message is different, but I don't think it is anything to worry about. Just as long as we are all civil with each other and ourselves.

Answer 6

The light that you are trying to shed on the subject is the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

We abstain from sin because we have tasted of the tree of life.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Answer 7

I always understood that you have to want, and ask for forgiveness from individual sins as well as our generally sinful nature. I know I can't remember all the sins I've committed, but God knows I try to remember and ask His forgiveness, sincerely. But, if you want to believe in "apples or lipstick", well, give it a try. And see just how serious God takes your belief in Him, and forgives, or doesn't. God Bless you.

Answer 8

All sin is not automatically forgiven. We are forgiven as we repent and try to make our lives better. We are not all immediately saved, except from death. Because Christ resurrected we all resurrect and have eternal life. In order to earn exaltation which is to return and live with God we must repent, follow the commandments, receive the living ordinances such as baptism and endure to the end. Faith without works is dead (James) we are not saved by faith alone.

Answer 9

All I can do is shake my head. You have to do a little research on this. I would suggest researching repentance. Repentance isn't as simple as saying sorry. LOL
Paul says it best...
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? -Romans 6:1-2.

Answer 10

Because abstaining from sin is the natural development after we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Ask your question in another way: Why do children bother abstaining from "sin" if all of their "sins" are already forgiven by their parents because of their love for them? They do that because they love their parents enough that they don't want to disappoint them. The same with Christians and Jesus.

Answer 11

You know that's not how it works. Repenting means you are truly sorry for your deeds, not just saying so, means you wont do them again. You can fool yourself but you can't fool God. But, yes, according to the rule book, truly repent and you are forgiven.