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.
