Does Living In Sin Mean That I'm Not Saved?

Being a good Christian has nothing to do with being saved. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are FREE, a gift from God, paid for by Jesus' precious blood. As Christians we SHOULD live for Christ; not MUST (that would be works); not WILL (that's Calvinism). There is no perfect Christian. 

Perhaps you say to me that you're living in gross immorality. Perhaps you tell me that you're committing drunkenness, public nudity (by uploading naked selfies to the internet) and are guilty of sodomy, fearful that you're not really saved. I had a professed Christian man confess those very sins to me, confiding in my pastoral advice. My Biblical response was simply that these are horrible sins, and I am not diminishing or condoning any of them, God forbid; but that has nothing to do with faith in Jesus as one's personal Savior. If you are feeling unsaved because of the sins in your life, I recommended that you read chapter 9 from the helpful book titled: “FULL ASSURANCE” by Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951). 

The truth is that EVERY believer struggles with some area(s) of sinful weakness. That is part of being human. The apostle Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:14-25). Although it is possible to live above reproach, no one can live above sin. 1st Timothy 5:24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” That is why we all need to attend a Bible-believing local church, because we need preaching and fellowship with other Christians. Dear reader, if you are in the same situation as this man, living in open sin, it does not mean you aren't saved. It DOES mean that your priorities are wrong! You have placed your love for the lusts of the flesh as a higher priority in life than your love for God. Bible preaching helps us think right! 

It is also important that every Christian believer break off relationships with old friends, and start to associate with Christlike believers. You will become in five years who and what you CHOOSE to be around. I don't want drunks for friends! I don't want thieves for friends! I don't want blasphemers, adulterers, liars, slanderers and homosexuals for close friends. I want soulwinning Christians as friends, who desire to live in holiness because they love Jesus! And if I cannot find God-fearing Christians to be friends with, then I would rather be alone with God as my sole friend (James 4:4). 

Ultimately, we all do what we choose to do. A professed Christian who is living in open sin DOESN'T love Jesus as they ought. I say that kindly. Jesus said if we love Him and are His friend, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15; 15:14). I have often had people ask me as a pastor, why they cannot overcome sin in their life. There is no magic advice for someone who chooses to live in wickedness. People live like the Devil because THEY CHOOSE TO, plain and simple. They may not want to, but they still choose to. What saith the Scripture? 1st Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” So any truly born-again Christian who claims that they “ cannot help them self” to sin is a liar. The Holy Bible teaches God ALWAYS gives us an escape path! 

The Bible plainly teaches in 2nd Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” God never commands us to do something that we are incapable of doing. If we want to live for Christ, we can! The problem is not that some men are oversexed, weak or hot-tempered; but that they are under-charactered, undisciplined and lack the spiritual fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). Any child of God can LIVE RIGHT if we choose to!