Q: According to Bible teaching, why do the consequences of sin last lifelong and continue in eternity too? —Samuel
A: God’s Word assures Christian believers of the forgiveness of any sin through Christ’s sacrificial death on their behalf.
Christians no longer face damnation—the eternal consequences of their sins. But they still face sin’s earthly consequences. For Christians, the earthly consequences of sin don’t exist as the punishment of an angry God. They remain as reminders of the fact that we live in a flawed, fallen world. The effects of sin still remain. The fullness of our redemption still lies ahead.
A person who’s been an alcoholic for many years, for example, may suffer irreversible liver damage that will remain following his conversion. A father who has neglected his family will continue to see the effects of his neglect. Sometimes we can make amends in this life for our sins, other times we cannot.
The Holy Spirit strengthens and renews Christians, even though they continue to be haunted by the earthly consequences of sin. The character of Christ Himself becomes established within them (Romans 8:29), so that they will be empowered to live consistently with the truth. The Old Testament prophet Micah wrote, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). —Dan VanderLugt
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R R Kelkar on February 20, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Jesus, after saying “Your sins are forgiven”, would very often add, “Sin no more”. Was that just a piece of advice or his forgiveness was limited to the time of the next sin?
Does that “seventy times seven” model of forgiveness apply to God? Do we have to keep on seeking his forgiveness throughout our life?
OnMyWayHome on February 25, 2012 at 6:22 pm
To RR Kelkar as to your questions:
To sin no more.
No one can’t live the rest of their life without sinning
, when one draws closer and closer to Jesus Christ you are not sinless you sin less and less.
God forgave all as he showed this by giving his only Son is he able to forgive “seventy times seven”. Yes he is able however God is pure and he abhors sin which leads to death and separation from him, one should not test him.
Deuteronomy 6:16
Kind of like the first answer since one will continue to sin they need to ask for forgiveness from their present sins.
1 John 1:8