Does the message of total forgiveness make you sin more?

Quick Answer: Does the message of total forgiveness make you sin more? Some believe that teaching total forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ will lead believers to sin more. But 2 Peter 1:9 says the opposite: We will sin more if we forget our total forgiveness! So, teaching believers their total forgiveness of sins will promote godly living, not sinfulness. In Luke 7:47, we see Jesus affirm this reality as He tells us that whoever is forgiven much will love much.

Diving Deeper: Some believe if they embrace the message of total forgiveness of sins through Jesus (Hebrews 10:14), they will want to abuse it. But Scripture proclaims the opposite!

2 Peter 1:9 states that godly characteristics are present in those who remember their total purification from sins. Those who forget their purification are described as lacking godly qualities. According to Peter, we sin when we’ve forgotten what Christ accomplished for us.

Similarly, Titus 2:11-12 states the grace of God teaches us to “deny ungodliness.” It’s true that God’s grace does increase when we sin (Romans 6:1). But if we set our minds on God’s empowering grace in our lives, we can expect righteous living – not sinful living. In Luke 7:47, Jesus affirms this as He teaches that a person who is forgiven much loves much.

We don’t need to fear the total forgiveness found in Christ’s finished work. To the contrary, the more we embrace God’s once-for-all forgiveness of our sins, the more we’ll live godly lives and love each other!

Let’s Make it a Conversation!
1. Have you ever been afraid of abusing God’s grace? Why or why not?
2. How do you think total forgiveness can inspire upright living?
3. React to Jesus’ statement: “Whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47b).