https://odb.org/MY/2023/07/18/doing-something-right
There are two ways to look at things if we are doing wrong. One approach is to continue doing wrong. Since we have sinned, or as some say, already covered in dirt, nothing we do now may undo the wrong we did or wash away our dirt – so we continue to wallow in the dirt like pigs in a pig sty. Another approach is the other extreme and, I believe, adopted by some believers who put their faith in the gospel of grace. And it goes like this – we know God is forgiving, gracious, and compassionate. So we take our chances. We sin, and then we seek forgiveness. Then sin again and seek forgiveness again. We do this 500 times over 20 years, and we are still at it today. No change, no transformation. In essence, we are no better than the others of the world, although we profess to be a child of God.
Both are wrong at different ends of the spectrum. On the one hand, there is forgiveness in Christ, and He can and will wipe us clean like snow. His blood shed on the cross forgives us our sins. Therefore, there is no justification for anyone to continue sinning, as though once tainted, it is always tainted. God forgives, and Christ cleanses. On the other hand, we can not keep on sinning and seeking forgiveness because by doing that, we are taking God’s grace and compassion for granted. We do not reverent God. If we are still the same the day we accepted Christ and today, many years later, there is probably something wrong with our faith.
The thing that cuts across both extremes and modulates the ends together, in my view, is repentance. If we had committed great sins but have a repentant heart, God forgives and gives us a new lease of life in Him. The past will not taint us. We are who we are today in Christ. Christ is the Alpha and the Omega and will bring to completion the good work that He has begun in us. Conversely, if we have repentance, we will not get into this pattern of sin and forgiveness. Repentance means that after we seek forgiveness, we will cease sinning. Of course, there may be relapses, but they are few and far in between.
With repentance, there is hope for those who had done great wrongs before as well as those who continue doing wrong despite knowing Jesus. Have a humble and contrite heart before God, as the Psalmists say. Repent of our sins before God, and He will in His abundant grace and mercy, forgive us and write our names down in the Book of Life.
Ronnie's Thoughts 