what does the bible say?
Genesis 3 relates the fall of man and sin entering the world. Because of that, sin is a reality of life on this side of eternity. Even if we have been saved for years, we will sin. This can be disconcerting, but it can also increase our dependence on God. We can stay vigilant against sin and rely on God’s power in us to live for Him. As believers, Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for our sins is complete; we must live remembering that God has forgiven us of all sin—past, present, and future. This frees us from the guilt and shame of sin and empowers us to live for Christ. When we are secure in our relationship with Christ, our desire to sin actually decreases (Romans 7:5-8). As believers, we should be conscious of the sin in our lives and seek to continually be “transformed” by the renewal of our minds so we can live for Him (Romans 12:2). Instead of focusing on the sinful desires that so often entangle us (James 1:14), we should focus on our new identity and purpose in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) and think about what honors and glorifies God (Philippians 4:8). Ultimately, if our battle against sin discourages us, we should remind ourselves that "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). Our price is paid, our condemnation no longer exists, and we are set free from bondage to sin for all of eternity—starting in this lifetime!