Besetting Sins?

Q

What happens to people who are caught up in a particular sin, that maybe down inside they don’t want to do, but it seems they can’t stop. They still believe with all their heart that Jesus paid the price for their sins. Are they still saved?

A

Of course they are. In fact, I believe that every Christian has at least one sin in their life they can’t get rid of, and most have several. And if we get rid of one another one pops up to take its place. It might be gossiping or coveting or envy or jealousy or unresolved anger or lust or something else.

None of us is sin free. The reason the Lord told us not to judge others for their sins is that none of us can withstand judgment ourselves (Matt. 7:1).

But Colossians 2:13-14 says the Lord forgave all of our sins at the cross. The Greek word translated “all” means “each and any, every and all.”

And Hebrews 10:12-14 says that Jesus died as a once-for-all-time sacrifice for sins, and by that one sacrifice He has made us perfect forever. Therefore when we agree to let His death pay the price for our sins, it covers all of them, even the ones we haven’t committed yet.

Even Paul said he could not completely stop sinning (Romans 7:18-20). And John said if we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). We sin because we’re sinners. It’s in our nature. No born again believer sins whenever the mood strikes them, but we all sin just the same. And when we do we feel terrible, but we know when we ask the Lord to forgive us He always will, because He already paid the penalty.

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are they whose sins the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit (Psalm 32:1-2).