Do we need to repent more than once to stay saved?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Should a person continue to ask for forgiveness after salvation.


  • Total voters
    20

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,257
3,595
113
#42
Well I am not a Calvinist and believe in free will. I believe the scriptures that speak on the warnings of falling away and apostasy. I believe it is possible for people to taste of forgiveness but can walk away.

We also have scriptures on lukewarm Christians.
I'm not a Calvinist either. I don't even know what that is really. I believe in the risen Lord.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#43
We are not without sin but we are seen as righteous and called Saints. It is only through the blood of Christ that God sees us as perfect.
Also, it is possible to walk in perfect freedom and victory over sin for the rest of one's life (1 John 3:6 (kjv), 1 John 2:17 (kjv), Romans 8:12 (NLT)).

We do not have to fall into a pattern of sinful behaviour (Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10).

God is able to sanctify us wholly and to make it so that it is not possible that we would sin (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14 (kjv), 1 John 3:9).

Because if you look at 1 John 1:8 carefully, I think you will see that it does not say, "If we say that we do no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

It is speaking of indwelling sin; while 1 John 3:5-9 is speaking of sin in the practical sense.

So then, there is no contradiction between 1 John 1:8 and a literal rendering of 1 John 3:5-9.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#44
None are sinless (1 John 1:8); some are perfect (Hebrews 10:14 (kjv)).
In case your comment misleads anyone, all believers are justified by grace through faith. Therefore they have imputed righteousness (the perfection of Christ). But none are sinlessly perfect. Therefore all need to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#45
In case your comment misleads anyone, all believers are justified by grace through faith. Therefore they have imputed righteousness (the perfection of Christ). But none are sinlessly perfect. Therefore all need to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
1Th 5:23, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Heb 10:14, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
.
.
.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1Jo 2:17, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
.
.
.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1Jo 3:3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
even as he is pure.

1Jo 2:6, He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

.
.
.
Jde 1:24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

2Pe 1:10, Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1Jo 2:10, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#46
In case your comment misleads anyone, all believers are justified by grace through faith. Therefore they have imputed righteousness (the perfection of Christ). But none are sinlessly perfect. Therefore all need to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
I will agree that even before the Lord accomplishes the work of entire sanctification in the life of the believer, that the believer is justified apart from sanctification (Romans 4:11).

What then is the motivation for us to be wholly sanctified; since it has no bearing on our salvation?

See Philemon 1:6, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

The more effective we are in our witness for Christ on earth, the greater our reward will be in heaven.
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
2,915
817
113
#47
Yup, it's a necessary part of Sanctification.

The counter-argument against "ongoing confession of sin to remain clean" is typically the strawman that says "so if you don't happen to remember each and every sin then you are in trouble." This is false and we only need to focus on the first instance of confession to understand why.

Not one person who first becomes a believer; who first kneels at the throne to confess and accept the Master into their lives, does so by listing every single sin they've ever committed in the past up to that point. It's impossible to do, and if such itemization was necessary no one would be part of the body. No one would be saved.

But do they need to confess their sin in order to be saved and accepted? Absolutely yes. It's a necessary action else they wouldn't receive forgiveness or become part of the body.

The critical part is the act of confessing (that one has committed crimes against the Living God), not what is being confessed. He knows what sins we've committed but you must confess that you have sinned against Him. This is why the Messiah gave it as part of His blueprint on how to pray. It's necessary to confess during every prayer. Believe in the Messiah's words.

The difference between the OT before the Messiah's ministry and now is "something also had to die to pay for the sin when a person confessed, and the blood of an animal couldn't cleanse the iniquity."

Sin does two things:

1) Creates a debt that must be paid with a life. This is called the "wage of sin"
2) STAINS the tabernacle (your heart and the heavenly throne). This is called "Iniquity" and "Unrighteousness".

The Messiah's crucifixion paid for the wage of sin (PAST TENSE). The Messiah's sinless blood is ready to cleanse iniquity (PRESENT TENSE, ONCE ASKED FOR). The Messiah's grace strengthens us to resist FUTURE sin (WHICH MUST BE GROWN like a divine muscle which takes time...this is why we return boldly to the throne to confess in the meantime).

- There is no iniquity where there is no sin committed, there is only iniquity when one sins.

- If we DO sin there is no condemnation (death), in Messiah. The law/cycle of "sin-death-sin-death" is forever broken.

- If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us and to CLEANSE us of our unrighteousness (i.e. iniquity), as we ask for the strength (i.e. grace) to do better against the sin next time.

---

This is some of the critical information that is missing in today's church when we teach that the OT is passed away; critical information that the converted gentiles of the 1st century were being taught each Sabbath. We don't understand the process of sanctification because it's rarely taught, thinking "it's all finished" upon the first confession (justification) or that we're robots now being controlled by the Holy Spirit who's magically making us sanctified.

This is not magic but a process in which we have a part to play.

This is why there is little to no growth in the body of believers as the majority of us struggle with the same sins day in and day out for decades and decades, and why most atheists are former Christians who've lost hope. Shall we say the Holy Spirit failed them since they were never required to do anything but confess once?

Of course not. Smh.

(sorry. rant over)
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,113
1,799
113
#48
This is the false teaching from Hyper-Grace teachers and it can be very easily refuted.

1. Q. Are the epistles of John written to believers or unbelievers?
A. To believers only. Thus they are called "little children" and "my brethren".

2. Q. How do we know that the first epistle of John is for believers?
A. Only believers can have fellowship with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and other believers, and the first chapter speaks of this fellowship.

3. Q. Can believers sin after they are saved?
A. Yes they can, and none are sinlessly perfect.

4. Q. Does John tell believers who deny that they sin that they deceive themselves and make God a liar?
A. Absolutely. And that is why they must confess and repent of their present sins.

As you will note, Christian Chat does not encourage Hyper-Grace false teachings.
see post 10
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#49
I agree that fruit grows physically but,spiritually at the moment of conversion all the fruit Is there.It just needs to be cultivated.
kindly point that out from scripture if you want to make that point

as we have examples from the physical realm as examples pertaining to the spiritual, you should just connect the dots

in other words, why is the character we are supposed to be attaining called fruit? why not instant pudding? (haha funny)

remember Jesus cursing the fig tree? no more fruit. please connect the dots and thank you, but waiting for that scripture that indicates we are suddenly endowed with the nature of Christ and never sin again :giggle:
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#50
I believe repentance is actually changing your mind to come into agreement with God that we are sinners and that the sacrifice of Christ is all sufficient to save us. Yes we do strive vainly to live righteous lives and avoid sin, but ultimately it's Christ's sacrifice and His righteousness that saves us, not our good works.
It seems to me that "changing your mind" is something that can be, and often is, something that can be done more than once. If it wasn't human could not grow, they would always remain the same.

Also, it seems to me that works are part of repentance. Salvation is not based on our sins but our faith, but how cam you possibly have faith in the entire being of Christ and have faith in sin for yourself? If we eliminate sin from our lives then works happen to us. It is part of accepting Christ within us.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#51
kindly point that out from scripture if you want to make that point

as we have examples from the physical realm as examples pertaining to the spiritual, you should just connect the dots

in other words, why is the character we are supposed to be attaining called fruit? why not instant pudding? (haha funny)

remember Jesus cursing the fig tree? no more fruit. please connect the dots and thank you, but waiting for that scripture that indicates we are suddenly endowed with the nature of Christ and never sin again :giggle:
1 Corinthians 6:11?
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,846
4,503
113
#52
Also, it is possible to walk in perfect freedom and victory over sin for the rest of one's life (1 John 3:6 (kjv), 1 John 2:17 (kjv), Romans 8:12 (NLT)).

We do not have to fall into a pattern of sinful behaviour (Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10).

God is able to sanctify us wholly and to make it so that it is not possible that we would sin (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14 (kjv), 1 John 3:9).

Because if you look at 1 John 1:8 carefully, I think you will see that it does not say, "If we say that we do no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

It is speaking of indwelling sin; while 1 John 3:5-9 is speaking of sin in the practical sense.

So then, there is no contradiction between 1 John 1:8 and a literal rendering of 1 John 3:5-9.
Paul admits to the law of morality still being active in his life.


Romans 7:21-23
New International Version


21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.


BUT


Romans 7:4-6
New International Version


4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

By the baptism of the Spirit, we was released by such law. Meaning the law is still present, and we still can not keep all of its commands as to why legalism always fails. But we are freed from the law. Now we relationally live in the Spirit. It is by the sacrifice and blood of Christ that we are set free from sin. It is the love of Christ and guidance of the Spirit that leads us to victory in our daily spiritual battles between flesh and soul.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#53
Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14 (kjv), 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:6, 1 John 2:17; 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:3, 1 John 2:6; Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10).

I have quoted all of these at other places on these boards. All you have to do is find the posts where I do this. Or, you can look up the verses in your own kjv Bible (which is what I am communicating from primarily).
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#55
Romans 7:21-23
New International Version


21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
In Romans 7:14-25, Paul is using the literary tactic of IDENTIFICATION to define carnality in order that he might win the carnal person (see 1 Corinthians 9:22).

If Paul himself is carnal in the writing of this, then he is not penning holy scripture (for it is written, in 2 Peter 1:20-21, that scripture was produced as holy men of God spake by the Holy Ghost; and if Paul was carnal, then he was not holy).

I conclude that he is in Romans 7:14-25 becoming as weak in order to gain the weak.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#56
I disagree.

1Co 6:9, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,846
4,503
113
#57
I will agree that even before the Lord accomplishes the work of entire sanctification in the life of the believer, that the believer is justified apart from sanctification (Romans 4:11).

What then is the motivation for us to be wholly sanctified; since it has no bearing on our salvation?

See Philemon 1:6, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

The more effective we are in our witness for Christ on earth, the greater our reward will be in heaven.
Sanctification is complete on the day of glorification or death which ever comes first for the Saint. Sanctification is a life long work done by the Spirit within the believer.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#58
duh

prove it then since you brought it up

where in the verse 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. does it speak of instantly attaining the fruit of the Spirit ?

this is speaking of salvation...what are you doing the rest of your life?

I mean I am obviously still working on patience myself..but you go ahead and tell me that you have attained perfection
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#59
Sanctification is complete on the day of glorification or death which ever comes first for the Saint. Sanctification is a life long work done by the Spirit within the believer.
I believe, based on holy scripture that I have quoted elsewhere, that the Lord can complete the work of sanctification while we are still on the earth.
 

justbyfaith

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2021
4,707
462
83
#60
duh

prove it then since you brought it up

where in the verse 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. does it speak of instantly attaining the fruit of the Spirit ?

this is speaking of salvation...what are you doing the rest of your life?

I mean I am obviously still working on patience myself..but you go ahead and tell me that you have attained perfection
To me, this verse is speaking of instant sanctification from the sins that are spoken of in verses 9-10. Because those sins are things by which you would not inherit the kingdom of God; so if you were not instantly sanctified, you would not be saved as you would be continuing in sins that are condemning to your soul.

If it does not speak the same to you then I will pray for the Holy Ghost to illuminate your mind so that you will be able to see this truth in the scripture in question.

I would also suggest that you look up the other verses that I referenced in the next post of mine (#53, https://christianchat.com/threads/d...e-than-once-to-stay-saved.201884/post-4675752).