Topic(s): Christian Life, Forgiveness

Todd Clippard

One scripture I think will help you is 1 John 1:7, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin."

Consider some things the passage teaches:
1. We can walk in the light;
2. We will sin even while walking in the light;
3. So long as we walk in the light, we enjoy the provision of remission of sins.

Walking in the light means we live in accordance with the will of God. This includes daily reflection, repentance, and confession in prayer (1 John 1:9). So long as we continue to be aware of our sins, repent of them, and ask for forgiveness, the blood of Jesus provides continual cleansing.

David did not go to heaven because God ignored his sin. David went to heaven because when he was confronted with his sin (2 Sam 12), he confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness. This repentance is illustrated in Psalm 51, particularly the first 12 verses.

God's grace is not a license to sin (Rom 6:1-2). Neither does God's grace ignore sin. God's grace is God's unmerited favor. It is manifested in the giving of His son Jesus (Rom 5:6-8), and in the giving of the scriptures which teach us how to live right in the sight of God (Titus 2:11-12).