If I Sin as a Christian, Will I Still Go to Heaven?

-Wally Grant

When you became a Christian God forgave all your sins because Jesus died on the cross to pay for them. But sometimes you will sin after you are a Christian. Why? You still have your old nature that wants to sin- you were born with it. As a Christian you have a new nature too- from Jesus. Your new nature wants to please God. Your old and new natures will always fight each other as long as you live on Earth, and sometimes you will chooses to sin.

So what happens when you sin? Sin in your life as a Christian won’t keep you out of Heaven, but it hurts your friendship with God. To make things right again, the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify [clean] us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). To confess means to tell on yourself to God when you sin. He promised to forgive you. Ask Him to help you choose what’s right the next time you are tempted. When we sin Jesus speaks to God in our defense because He already paid for that sin (see 1 John 2:1). Jesus is your defender and helper and will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). He is changing your heart so you will want to sin less and please Him more. Depend on Him to do it!