Question and Answer
We all sin, but after asking Jesus for forgiveness for our sins, what if we then turn around and commit that exact sin the next day or a week later and ask for forgiveness again? Does Jesus forgive us every time we ask for forgiveness, even if we commit the same sin over and over?
The great news of the gospel is that Jesus died to save and redeem us, once and for all (Rom. 6:10; 1 Peter 3:18)! He died “for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28; see also Luke 1:77; Col. 1:14). The same grace that provides salvation remains in force to forgive us and sanctify us when we sin in this world as believers, for sin cannot outpace God’s grace toward us: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more . . . so also grace might reign” (Rom. 5:20–21).
Yet, the repetition of sin is much more of a reality in our lives than we think. Because we tend to look at our more visible sins, we can miss our continued lack of victory over anxiety, wrath, pride, gossip, greed, discontent, grumbling, lack of self-control, and the like. We need to go to the Lord repeatedly to confess our failure to overcome these sins. We also need to invite mature believers to join us in our personal efforts to defeat these sins.
BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond
Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It! Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).