Forgiveness For Past And Present Sins

One thing that I hear a lot nowadays is that once we receive Jesus into our lives as Lord, we are then forgiven for our past, present, and future sins. This sounds so wonderful on the outside, but it is still not true in regards to future sins. Jesus does forgive us of our past sins. He also forgives us in the state we are in when we confess our sins. We are called to repent and come to Jesus, while also repenting and asking Him for forgiveness. So, in regards to future sins, we can’t just say, Lord, forgive me for things I do in the future and expect Him to. That would mean that repentance is not important for that person. So what I am saying, friends, is that people falsely believe that repentance for later sins is not necessary. This is why we need to look at 1 John, chapter 1, and see what John actually said in regards to sin. It reads, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) That is what it means to repent and forsake our iniquities after we realize we have sinned. And why would David come to the Lord so often and ask Him to forgive Him that He might have mercy for his soul if he was already forgiven for future sins? People do like to say that when Jesus died on the cross, His sacrifice was for people who died, are living, and will be born in the future, which is correct. But changing this important belief into saying that Jesus died for our future sins, so we don’t have to worry about them is blasphemy to God’s Word and a false teaching.

So many people take forgiveness out of context and really try to make certain verses fit their belief system, where the context of that chapter is not taken into consideration most times. The Bible I know of and study daily does not say that God has already forgiven our future sins. A teaching like this is like saying that we can just receive Jesus at a point in our lives and then go astray and die in our sins, while still being saved. And so they say that because they are redeemed at an early stage in their lives, they are still saved no matter what they do. Even if a person then goes on and willfully sins and does things that God hates, like look at pornography, commit adultery, have abortions, become homosexual, and more, they are only justifying their sins. Therefore, they have actually lost their salvation come death and are not saved. It was Paul that confirmed this fact in 1 Corinthians, chapter 6. It reads, “know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Unless we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus for our past and present sins, and no longer willfully walk in them, we are not saved.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we, as believers, will continue to call upon Your Name daily in all our confessions. Surely, Your arms are wide open to receive us as sinners. And it doesn’t have to be difficult for people, for when our heart becomes Yours, You are able to transform us like never before. Yes, God, when we come unto You fully, there is a transformation that takes place within us. Even to the renewing of both soul and body to walk in Your statutes and to serve You most faithfully in this life. Our desires are changed from doing things for the flesh and onto things that glorify You instead. You are able to rip out of our hearts every wicked and lustful thing, so that we are able to say and act much differently. Even false beliefs are removed, and true teachings that come from the Bible and heaven above is revealed to us. And what I love, God, is that forgiveness and mercy does come. It is for me and everyone else who sins but comes to You in their confessions. You have changed my life and I know that Your love is for me now. I am not an outcast but am fearfully and wonderfully made from my Father above. You loved me first and now I am here to love You back with all my heart and soul. Lord, lead me from every temptation. Forgive me of all my sins and don’t allow me to revert back to how things once were in the past. Your love is what motivates me to live this life with honor and respect. Use me for Your kingdom. Allow the Holy Spirit to move in my life. I love You, Lord. I give You praise and honor, this day and forever. Amen.