Does Sin Matter After Baptism?

There is a common thought that once a person becomes a Christian, they don’t need to care as much about sin, since all their sins have been paid for by the blood of Christ. That idea was present in the early church, and Paul answered it in Romans 6:1-2 by asking, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” The blood of Christ indeed pays for every sin, but when a Christian stops caring whether they are obeying God’s Word, they are violating the covenant they made with God for their forgiveness. God never takes sin lightly, and neither should we.

In 1 Corinthians 15:34, God inspired Paul to write about the reality and the hope of the resurrection. After proving the truth of the resurrection, Paul commanded that they start thinking clearly and stop sinning. “Stop sinning” is exceptionally clear. The message and intent are unmistakable. God cares whether His people are trying to live righteously or not.

Similarly, James 1:21-22 describes how to receive God’s wisdom, saying, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” There it is. Every Christian is either putting aside wickedness, even down to the remnants, or they are lying to themselves about their spiritual condition as they lose their soul to sin once again.

God does not promise salvation to the one who continues in sin. Instead, He promises a resurrection of judgment, according to John 5:28-29. If anyone desires salvation and eternal life, they must obey the gospel and dedicate themselves thereafter to God’s holy way, as described in the Scriptures.