Wednesday, January 4, 2012


We Are Perpetually Saved, Not Sin Free

Recently, I have had an online debate with a group about Christians being forgiven from all past, present and future sins.  I am quite confused on their premise for this belief because I cannot find anywhere in scripture that states we are perpetually forgiven of any sin we commit.

This doctrine is one of the worst types of man-made confusion.  This is a get out of jail free card for anyone who professes to be a Christian.  Our Father in Heaven, who is just and fair, would never create such an environment.  Those who accept Christ can do whatever they want and not worry about consequences, while those who don't are doomed for their very existence.  Wrong.

 I believe where they are getting confused is the difference between salvation and forgiveness of sins.  We are saved from eternal separation from God the Father because we have accepted Christ.  However, our actions will be judged and those we have not repented of will be dealt with.  The Bible is very explicit about our "past" sins being forgiven, just read 1 Peter 1:3-11,

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   (emphasis mine)

To sin is to stumble.  If we are incapable of being guilty of sin any longer because we are perpetually forgiven, than why would Peter warn us to do these things so we won't stumble? 

One must be very careful of following doctrine over the Bible.  Doctrine is manmade, and should be based on the Bible.  I say should be, because often it is not.  A prime example is the doctrine that Christians are not allowed to drink alcohol.  It does NOT say that anywhere in the Bible.  It says we are not to get drunk.  In fact, Paul tells Timothy to drink some wine instead of all the water to help with his stomach problems.  Why would Paul say such a thing if it was a sin for Timothy to do so?  Which brings us back to the whole "all future sins are forgiven" nonsense.  Time and again Paul, Peter, and James warn about keeping ourselves in check and not  "falling or stumbling", which is to sin.  If we are automatically forgiven of every future sin there would be no reason to warn anyone, it would be a moot point.

The point here is do NOT follow what man says without comparing it to the scriptures.  If the theology and the scriptures do not line up drop the theology because only the scriptures are correct.