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If You Are Saved, Are Your Future Sins Forgiven?
10/28/07 | Pinochet

Posted on 10/28/2007 5:11:19 PM PDT by pinochet

I am a Catholic who is trying to understand Protestant history and teachings, in order to better understand the history of Christianity. There is one issue that I do not understand.

According to Protestant teachings, if a person becomes saved, are his future sins forgiven? Can a person lose his salvation? If not, can assurance of salvation become a license to sin?

If Ted Haggard had gone to be with the Lord early last year, while in the process of getting a "massage" from his male "friend", would he have gone straight to heaven?


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KEYWORDS: calvinism; catholic; christianity; indulgences; protestantism; religion; salvation
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To: pinochet
I'll try to answer your questions, since you say that you are interested in better understanding the history of Christianity.

I am a Protestant, and my understanding is that God saves me....I do not save myself.

That means that God, in an act of sheer grace -- unmerited faor -- saves me from eternal separation from him. There is nothing -- nothing -- I can do to say that I am good enough to enter heaven.

I have no desire to denigrate the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, but, as I understand those teachings, there is an emphasis on the human activity necessary in order to achieve salvation.

For instance, I think Catholic teaching is that one must partake of the sacraments of the church (confession and communion, for instance) in order to be saved. It is human activity that count for something.

My Protestant understanding says that none of that really counts. What counts is what God has done, and my belief that God sent His Son to the world to die for my sins -- all of the actiity necessary for my salvation was God's, not mine.

And, since I have accepted God's gift of salvation, God's own Holy Spirit is at work in my heart, transforming me -- sanctifying me. It is a process that changes my heart from one that eagerly looks forward to sin to a heart that shuns sin.

I confess that this is a somewhat oversimlified view, but I hope it helps.

61 posted on 10/28/2007 5:43:41 PM PDT by Bob Loblaw
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To: pinochet

Our salvation depends solely upon Jesus Christ. He is our substitute, taking sin’s penalty (2 Corinthians 5:21); He is our Savior from sin (John 1:29); He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The work necessary to provide salvation was fully accomplished by Jesus Himself, who lived a perfect life, took God’s judgment for sin, and rose again from the dead (Hebrews 10:12).

The Bible is quite clear that our own works do not help merit salvation. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5). “Not of works” (Ephesians 2:9). “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). This means that offering sacrifices, keeping the commandments, going to church, being baptized, and other good deeds are incapable of saving anyone. No matter how “good” we are, we can never measure up to God’s standard of holiness (Romans 3:23; Matthew 19:17; Isaiah 64:6).

Information taken from gotquestions.org.


62 posted on 10/28/2007 5:44:23 PM PDT by dmw (Aren't you glad you use common sense? Don't you wish everybody did?)
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To: pinochet
Hi, pinochet! I am a Christian foremost, raised mostly as a Baptist. We are taught that when you are 'saved' (accept Jesus into your life as your Savior) that He forgives your sins, big, small, whatever they may be, FOREVER. :*) Jesus is the ONLY way to reach the Father; "I am the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE: No one comes to the Father but by ME" (John 14:6).

Sins are 'washed away' through the blood of Jesus--remember the Old Testament sacrifices, where unblemished lambs and goats had to be killed year after year to remove the stains of sin from the children of Israel? Jesus was the ultimate Sacrifice, and with His death on the cross He took the place of the animal sacrifices, ONCE AND FOR ALL, FOR ALL OF TIME. This is sort of a 'blanket' coverage that can NEVER be removed--i.e. you CANNOT lose your redemption, no matter what, unless you commit the 'unpardonable sin' (denying the Holy Spirit when you know better).

As Christians we are to continue to ask for forgiveness for sins as they occur, but if you suddenly die this moment and you were committing a sin, you would still find yourself instantly standing before Jesus. He will either say, "Come to me, my child!", or "I NEVER KNEW YOU!!" and you will be eternally separated from God. :*( "Fresh repentance" is not mandatory with us. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you ARE sinless the moment you truly believe, because HE takes on your mantle, and replaces it with His own, and the Father sees Jesus in you, and not your once sinful self. Hope this makes sense. :-)

One interesting thing I learned over the years was that Jesus forgives EVERYONE who asks for forgiveness, no matter how horrible that person might be (even Hitler!! But it is truly doubtful he repented on his deathbed for his many evils), and once that sin is forgiven, it is nevermore there (so you don't have to ask repentance for the same sin over and over and over again); however, their reward in Heaven will be less than what it might have been ('jewels in their crowns'), so there *are* consequences. You can't just repent, then sin willy-nilly and go your *own* way and think you've got all your bases covered, LOL. In that case, you have not had *true* repentance.

Two good examples are Judas Iscariot, who wantonly betrayed Jesus, and Peter, who wantonly betrayed Jesus. Both committed terrible sins against the Son of God, but one did NOT ask for forgiveness, and one DID. Who did Jesus forgive? Peter--"Feed my sheep!" :*) We are all like Peter--we can commit sins, but when we truly repent and ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven, forever. :*) Thank you, Lord Jesus!! :*)

As Christians, we are mainly entreated to follow Jesus, obey His commandments, and carry out the Great Commission--Matthew 24:19/20--"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."- Jesus Christ

Hope this helps a little. I wish I was a bit more eloquent in explaining this, but hopefully I got my points across. :-)
63 posted on 10/28/2007 5:45:10 PM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom and proud RUSH REPUBLICAN! WIN, FRED, WIN!!!)
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To: donna
if a person becomes saved, are his future sins forgiven? No. That's a cult.

The cult of extreme grace by the Blood of Jesus? Include me in then.

64 posted on 10/28/2007 5:45:11 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (My dog has worms, so I named him Scooter.)
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To: pinochet

It’s really about the difference between “spirit” and “flesh”.

God is a spirit. Therefore, man is a spirit - because man was created in God’s image.

To be saved means to have a new spirit by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Redemption gives us a clean spirit - clean of all sinfulness. It’s up to us to work out our salvation so that our new spirit shows up in our flesh. Most people do not make a dramatic about face after they are saved. It takes reading and studying and hearing the Word preached.

Remember, man is a 3-part person. Our spirit - the real person; our soul - which consists of our mind, will and emotions; and our flesh - which is the earth suit we live in while we are on the earth.

The key to living a Christian life is TRAINING your soul and your flesh to agree with and follow your renewed spirit. Fleshly habits and desires take time to train to do what God wants for your life, versus what you think you want and need.

Once a person is “saved” they are no longer a “sinner”. Although they may do things which are considered sinful or against God. In their renewed state of grace they can REPENT and be forgiven of any new sins.

Study the letters Paul wrote to the churches (starting with the 4th Gospel - John, and continuing with Romans, Corinthians, Galations, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians) - therein Paul explains what salvation has really bought and the very high price Jesus paid to restore our relationship with God and to set us free from sin and death. After that, I would study the Book of Hebrews.

I would recommend reading The Amplified Bible version. I have been reading it for years and it is the most literal Greek translation of the original scriptures. The Greek language is known to be very, very flowery - or expressive. It does truly “amplify” the meaning of God’s word.

God told us, “I’ll never leave you or forsake you”. However, starting at Hebrews 13:5 (Amp) - you see how the Greek language expands that statement from God and makes it much, much more powerful.


65 posted on 10/28/2007 5:45:26 PM PDT by CyberAnt (America: THE GREATEST FORCE for good in the world!)
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To: proxy_user

“But if you are in a state of grace, then your huamn will becomes merged with divine Logos, and you see the desires of the body as they really are, weaknesses for which you have no need.”

You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find that in the Bible do ya?


66 posted on 10/28/2007 5:46:59 PM PDT by Grunthor (Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.)
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To: pinochet

who amongst us here, is without sin?


67 posted on 10/28/2007 5:47:52 PM PDT by AmericanMade1776 ( my opinions do not represent the opinions of the management at Free Republic, they are mine alone.)
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To: The_Reader_David; Kevmo

:) Just as in there are as many worlds as their are people. Though humans innately share a sin nature, if your name is written in the Book of Life, you will be eventually saved. The Holy Spirit will then reside in you.

Kevmo said it best in post #5.


68 posted on 10/28/2007 5:48:01 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Duncan Hunter '08)
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To: proxy_user
If you are saved, then you won’t feel like sinning any more.

No, this isn't Biblically true (and as a saved Christian I will testify that this isn't the case many times!!!). Once you are saved, you are still in the flesh, susceptible to the temptations Satan will send your way. If and when we sin again, we are to ask for forgiveness from that sin/s, and if we are truly repentant, we will be forgiven.
69 posted on 10/28/2007 5:48:07 PM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom and proud RUSH REPUBLICAN! WIN, FRED, WIN!!!)
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To: Lijahsbubbe

Sin (gay) Pride Parades around the country.

Sin on parade my friend, and it is pride in their sin.


70 posted on 10/28/2007 5:48:38 PM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: Sherman Logan

The ‘thorn in his side’? :*(


71 posted on 10/28/2007 5:49:04 PM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom and proud RUSH REPUBLICAN! WIN, FRED, WIN!!!)
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To: dangerdoc; realpatriot

Okay, I’m beginning to get the idea that these sin parades are all over the place!


72 posted on 10/28/2007 5:49:38 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: A CA Guy
I know, I was just having a little fun. But yes, I am aware of these parades.
73 posted on 10/28/2007 5:51:14 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: WL-law; pinochet
True ~ the question is almost peculiarly Catholic in form and structure, but Moslems ask the same sort of questions all the time.

One big difference, of course, is that Moslems are many times advised that it's OK to kill somebody ~ and for Catholics and Protestants, that answer is simply not acceptable.

Protestant theology (for the most part) is less legalistic than the competition ~ and I think that's as simple an answer as I can come up with.

74 posted on 10/28/2007 5:52:27 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Secret Agent Man

>>>>>Now Catholics (being a former one for 25 years) have a problem with (many) but two big things: one, they don’t know for certain they are going to go to heaven; and two, they believe that if you don’t do good works plus have faith in Christ, you will not go to heaven. They look at us protestants and say, “All you have to do is believe? What’s so hard about that?”<<<<<

The main concern that Catholics have, is that behavioral standards may be lowered, and you may end up with church leaders like the Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson.

After all, if Robinson is “saved”, then he is assured of heaven, irrespective of his personal behavior. Separating behavior from salvation has always been a concern for Catholics.


75 posted on 10/28/2007 5:54:57 PM PDT by pinochet
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To: backtothestreets
" I will add that I have a very low opinion of those people that think being saved is a license to willingly sin further without repercussions. "

But, we ALL sin every day, whether we realize it or not, or whether we admit it or not.
Even 1 sin will send someone to hell.. I do not believe that anyone is that good in not sinning even in 1 day.
The Bible says, that if your going to live by the law, you must fulfill every letter of the law perfectly.

Those who try to live in their own righteousness, and good deeds, and obedience go ahead,
but ? when you face GOD, he will ask you why he should let you into heaven, and what is your answer going to be ?
The Atonement of Christ ?
or my own good deeds and righteousness ?
or ? " Ohh God, I tried not to sin every day, I tried to live a better life than John Doe "
" see God ? see how good and better I was than John Doe ? "
...... sorry, that is not what God will be looking for.
He will be looking for the " RIGHTEUSNESS of CHRIST " .. that we take on after we get saved.

Those who live in their own power, their own righteous , and good deeds are in danger of hell and hellfire.
76 posted on 10/28/2007 5:55:08 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: pinochet
"Another Example - If you repented your sins last month, and got saved. But you then ended up dying suddenly, today, without fresh repentance for any sins you may have committed over the past month. Will you go to heaven?

Should you be sinless at the time of your death to go to heaven?"

Yes, you would go to heaven. A saved Christian who sins, does not lose his salvation. However, he will most likely incur chastisement. Plus sin tends to have it's own intrinsic rewards, that are less than desirable. In addition, a Christian who sins, is not going to be happy. In fact, a Christian living a life of sin is one of the most miserable creatures ever.

When Jesus died, he paid the price for all sins, past present and future. In the final analysis, there is only one sin that remains, failure to accept God's plan of salvation. That is the sin that will result in the second death. If you have accepted Jesus, you are in the final analysis ...sinless.

The person who has repented and accepted Jesus as savior has passed from death to life. He has "eternal" life. It's not eternal if you can lose it. Scripture says that Jesus will not drive him away, and that he will not leave.

Can be it treated as a license to sin? Sure, but when you accepted Jesus as savior, you've been bought with a price. God has a license to chastise and will chastise those whom He loves.

What's more, you can't mentally accept that Jesus is God's plan of salvation while planning to continue to sin. Because that's not repentance. So at least at one point in time, when you accepted Jesus, you had to have a contrite heart that acknowledged your sinful condition and your need of a savior and a willingness to try to turn from sin.

That's why in John 3, it says that "He who believes..hath eternal life. And he who does not believe, is condemned already."

Do an electronic search of the Bible for the words "once for all", "all time" and "perfected" and "perfected forever", "no condemnation". You'll find a lot of scripture that will help shed light on this.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Hebrews 10:10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

77 posted on 10/28/2007 5:55:09 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: A CA Guy

Not trying to start a fight here but while claiming the authority of the church, there are current and past Catholic traditions which do not seem to agree with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

This is not the place to argue those traditions but keep in mind that nothing is as clear cut as it looks from one vantage point. After all, are you sure that the Authority of the Church did not head east with the Popes of the Orthodox Church. Once again, not the place to argue, just things are not that simple.


78 posted on 10/28/2007 5:55:15 PM PDT by dangerdoc (dangerdoc (not actually dangerous any more))
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To: SandyInSeattle; pinochet
Please don't confuse "saved by Grace alone" with the heresy known as antinomianism.

They're really, really, really different and are rejected by all real Catholics and Protestants (and Orthodox).

79 posted on 10/28/2007 5:55:47 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Blue Highway

“Nowhere in the Bible is there anything remotely resembling “purgatory”.”

But it OBVIOUSLY exists, because the all powerful Catholic Church made it up.


80 posted on 10/28/2007 5:56:47 PM PDT by Grunthor (Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.)
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