What happens when we sin?

There are a lot of questions about salvation and sin. Do we lose our salvation? Why do we need to ask for forgiveness or repent? I thought I would share my perspective, one that blends teachings from Paul, John, James, and Matthew. I included Scripture passages with each statement for your growth.

In terms of salvation, your sins are forgiven when you give your life to Jesus and make Him your Savior, your Lord (Romans 10:9-10). God sees you as clean because of Jesus’ blood (Hebrews 9:14). Think of the Passover, but it’s Jesus’ blood on the doorframe of your heart (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Just as in Rosh Hashanah, your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life because Jesus was the Lamb of God (Revelation 13:8; John 1:29). Your name is never removed (John 10:28-29). The Holy Spirit marks you with a seal, as Paul wrote (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22).

But when we sin, we do what Adam and Eve did: hide from God (Genesis 3:8-10). We create distance out of shame, yet God never leaves us (Psalm 139:7-10; Hebrews 13:5). We try to hide and protect our sins (Proverbs 28:13). And over time, this changes our focus (James 1:14-15). Instead of focusing on serving and loving God by serving and loving others (Matthew 22:37-39), we begin to serve and love our sin (Romans 6:16; Matthew 6:24).

God then calls us by name and restores our trust in Him (Isaiah 43:1-2; John 21:15-17). Repentance brings us back from behind the bush and corrects our focus (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9). Jesus has already forgiven our sins in terms of salvation (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 10:17), but we need to clear the air between us (Psalm 32:3-5). Otherwise, our focus will be wrong, and we won’t be expanding the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33; John 15:4-5).

So sins impact God utilizing us in the Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:20-21) but they don’t affect God seeing us as pure through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:14). The sins don’t take us entirely out of the Kingdom (Romans 11:29; Philippians 1:6).

Feel free to ask questions here or DM. Hope this helps.