Will God forgive me for repeating the same sin? I believe God forgives us as many times as we keep trying. In the book of Matthew, the Lord asks us to always forgive our brother. I don’t believe God would ask us to do something that he wouldn’t do himself.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22
I want to share other Bible scriptures that indicate the answer to the aforementioned question is “Yes”.
Plenteous in Mercy
This scripture in Psalms tells us that the Lord is ready to forgive and he is plenteous in mercy if we will ask.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalms 86:5
Abundantly pardon our unrighteousness
This scripture from Isaiah tells us God will abundantly pardon our unrighteousness.
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7
Will God forgive me for repeating the same sin? If God abundantly pardons us and is plenteous in mercy, the answer has to be “Yes”.
Cast our sins into the sea – God delights in mercy and compassion
This scripture from Micah tells us that God will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19
God has never said if you have been forgiven of a sin once, then you can never be forgiven of it again. If we don’t give up trying, how could God give up on us? Notice the above scripture also states that God does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy and compassion.
To clarify, all of the above scriptural interpretations are mine.
Focus on God’s light or intelligence
I think the best way to approach sin is to focus on light rather than the wrongdoing. If we focus on gaining God’s intelligence or light, we are more likely to leave behind sin without the dark residue of guilt and shame. As we gain God’s intelligence through study and prayer, we will gradually lose our appetite for carnal sin. God’s knowledge or intelligence is the very best cure for sin. I explain this process in more depth in another blog I wrote titled, “True Repentance – A Unique Positive View”.
A Pastor in New York
See what Tim Keller, a pastor in New York City, thinks about the question, “Will God Forgive Me for Repeating the Same Sin” in this short video.
Photo by Nathan Anderson
Would love to always get updated great blog!
hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up new things from right here.