When Christians Sin: What It Really Means

If you claim to be a Christian, yet sin - what does that really mean? What if you are not convicted of your sin - what does that mean?

What did the Apostle Paul mea when he wrote Romans 2:5-6:

“God judges those who do wrong things, and we know that his judging is right. God will reward or punish every person for what that person has done.” (Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬, ‭6‬ ‭NCV‬)

The answer is, this is what judgment looks like without Christ.

If someone rejects God’s grace and refuses to repent, then they’re choosing to be judged by their own record, which can only lead to condemnation.

But for those who belong to Jesus, and call Him Lord and Savior - “There is now no condemnation” (Romans 8:1 NCV).

God sees us through and in Jesus Christ. Meaning, God sees Jesus’s perfect life, and payment for your and my sin. He paid the price through torture and His death on the cross as a payment for your and my sin.

But there is on condition. You must believe, trust and accept it as truth for salvation (saving your soul from hell and condemnation). Otherwise, you will be judged on your own merits - and every one sins.

That said, believers still stumble. Paul admitted, “I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do” (Romans 7:19 NCV).

Salvation doesn’t make us perfect, but it does make us new. When we sin, we feel conviction. That’s the Spirit working in us, not to shame, but to restore, repent and grow toward perfection.

Why do we want to grow? Out of a love for God and others.

Yet there are consequences for our sin; “The Lord disciplines those he loves” (Hebrews 12:6 NCV). And at the same time God draws us back, not because we’ve lost our place, but because we’re still His and He desires a close relationship with us.

One of the clearest signs of that belonging is love. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8 NCV).

Love for God and love for others doesn’t earn salvation, but it shows we’ve truly received it. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40 NCV).

John wrote, “We know we have left death and have come into life because we love each other” (1 John 3:14 NCV). That love is evidence.

It’s also a fruit of the Spirit. “But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NCV‬‬)

You may not always feel it strongly, but if you see that love growing, if you’re convicted when you stray, if your hope rests in Jesus, not yourself, then take heart. You are His.

“God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished” (Philippians 1:6 NCV).

GOD, keep working on me and may my love for you and others keep growing. IJNIP amen ♥️