Listen to this articleI was recently asked by someone close to me, “If the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice of the Son of God, who knew no sin, covers our sins past, present, and future, how/why must we maintain our salvation?”
First and foremost, it is essential to understand that the blood of Christ indeed covers the sins of our past. Therefore, we should not dwell on or bring up someone’s past because it has been washed away by the blood of Christ. However, if someone shares their past as a teachable moment to prevent others from following the same path, that can be constructive.
Regarding conviction, even though the blood of Christ cleanses us from our present and future sins, God may still convict us when we commit a sin. The purpose of conviction is to draw us closer to God, lead us to repentance, and strengthen our walk with Him.
Romans 6:23 reminds us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Furthermore, 1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
While the blood of Christ indeed washes away our sins, we must not assume that this means we are immune to spiritual death or the potential of torment in hell. It is crucial to understand that maintaining our salvation is not about earning it continuously but rather living a life of commitment and obedience to God.
We see in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians that even though they had received the gospel and accepted Christ, they still needed reproof and correction. Their faith had grown cold, and they were drifting away from God, returning to the sins of their past. This shows us the importance of staying vigilant in our walk with God.
Once we come to Christ, ask for forgiveness, accept Him into our lives, and get baptized, our sins are washed away, and we become new creatures according to the Bible.
However, it’s crucial to note that after this initial encounter, there is no need for further sacrifice. Our commitment to Christ is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Mere words or rituals are not enough; a genuine and heartfelt surrender to God is what matters. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, producing the fruit of the Spirit, and living a life that aligns with God’s will.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew and Luke, as seen in Matthew 6:12, where we ask God for forgiveness and also forgive those who have wronged us. This prayer is meant to be a daily framework, not a one-time utterance.
In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiving others if we want God to forgive us. As children of God, we should take the initiative to seek forgiveness from others and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
Ephesians 4:32 reinforces the call to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to one another, just as God has forgiven us through Christ.
If someone refuses to forgive us despite our genuine repentance, we should leave the matter to God and focus on our own relationship with Him.
James 5:16 encourages us to confess our faults to one another and pray for one another, leading to healing. This emphasizes the significance of accountability and seeking support from fellow believers.
While we are on this Earth, we are still susceptible to temptations, just as Jesus was. However, through continual renewal by the Holy Ghost through prayer and daily reading of the Word, we can strive to be closer to God despite living in a sinful world.
When our time on Earth comes to an end, we long to hear those words from God, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” However, it is also important to recognize that some may fall short of God’s glory, as mentioned in Matthew 7:22-23.
If you feel convicted and realize the need to renew your commitment to God, do not hesitate. Seek an altar, speak with a minister in your church, or contact someone in your church community. According to Matthew 18:19-20, when two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name and agree in prayer, the Father in heaven will hear them. Humbly ask for forgiveness from our heavenly Father in Jesus’ name, be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and commit to living a life led by God, with a heart for the lost.