We initially underwent the extraordinary act of being cleansed of all our sins and delivered from judgment after asking God for forgiveness and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.
However, even after attaining salvation, we continue to engage in sinful actions. The occurrence of post-salvation sins does not diminish our salvation’s authenticity or eternal security. The Bible offers unwavering reassurance that we need not undergo another salvation process.
Why Do We Still Sin After Salvation?
The commencement of salvation occurs at the very moment we accept, through faith, God’s gracious offer of forgiveness achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12).
Jesus referred to this transformative experience as being “born again” (John 3:3). As we repent and relinquish our former way of life, we embrace the new existence that Jesus procured for us through His shed blood (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21).
Through this profound change, we are cleansed entirely, and God, in His mercy, chooses to forget our past transgressions (Psalm 103:12) completely.
However, we soon realize that our inclination to sin persists within us. How is this possible, considering we have become new creations in Christ? Our ongoing acts of sin stem from the reality that, although forgiven, we remain fallen human beings.
What Should We Do When We Sin?
We can start by directing our thoughts toward godly matters (Matthew 16:23; Colossians 3:1-4). As we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, our understanding and affection for Him will grow. By focusing our minds on God’s truth, our attitudes and behaviors will increasingly align with His divine nature.
It is essential not to approach the reading and study of God’s Word merely as an intellectual exercise but instead to allow it to impact our hearts and guide our actions deeply. We should genuinely strive to “put off our old selves” and embrace the transformation into the new self (Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 5:16-26), all the while recognizing that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings about this work of transformation.
The Scriptures provide clear guidance on addressing our sins: we must acknowledge and confess them before the Lord. 1 John 1:9 highlights the significance of confessing our sins, assuring us that by doing so, we will receive forgiveness and purification from all unrighteousness.
Even after experiencing salvation, we continue to struggle with sin but must fight it. Our aim is not to merely tame our sinful tendencies but to put death to them (Matthew 5:29-30; Colossians 3:5-8).
We saturate our minds with the truth, recognizing that every good and perfect gift originates from the heavenly Father (James 1:16-18) and that sin ultimately leads to destruction (James 1:12-15). We understand that Jesus is the path to true life (John 10:10), and we strive to follow His teachings and instructions (John 15:1-17).
Bottom Line
God’s intention for us is to live without sin, and there will come a day when our sanctification will be fully accomplished (1 John 3:2). However, until that moment arrives, we exist in mortal bodies within an imperfect world, grappling with our sinful nature, and occasionally succumbing to its influence.
Nevertheless, even in our moments of defeat, we can find assurance that we will not be abandoned. Jesus, our High Priest, intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:34), ensuring we are not lost or forsaken.
