Is there a point when it is too late to leave sin and be forgiven?

Question:

I grew up in a church of Christ. I was baptized in middle school. I have struggled with sexual immorality beginning from a young age for a long time, along with other sins including taking plan B. I think as a teenager I did not take sin as seriously as I should. I have heard different things from different congregations.

I have come to the point of realizing how serious my sins are and how much I have sinned. I have never felt so guilty or ashamed. I want to do things correctly and know the biblical truth and serve God. I was hoping to get some truth from y'all. I have read some of your questions and answers. I have realized things from reading on your website that has caused me to have many questions about what a Christian and a church should do.

If I have struggled with sexual immorality multiple times, and I would say even going through periods where I made excuses, like saying I was struggling and not really trying to stop, or blaming others. I have realized I am fully responsible for my sin, and there are no excuses because what I did was wrong. I also see how my sin could hurt others emotionally and spiritually. Is there a point that it is too late and have sinned too much or have sinned for too long? What if a Christian continues a sin for years?

I have realized my sin and how serious it is. I read in the Bible how Ananias and Sapphira lie and then died. And Uzzah touched the ark and then died. Is there a point that it's too late? What does Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-31 mean?

I was also wondering if I was in a relationship where we struggled with sexual immorality and said stuff about getting married someday and promising not to leave each other. If that relationship ended. Can I marry someone else someday? I have been going back and forth on the issue thinking it's okay, then thinking it's not and say I'm just not going to get married. Now I'm just not sure.

Answer:

It is good that you've decided to be serious about your faith, and it is wonderful to hear that you've changed your behavior.

The whole point of being a Christian is that people can change. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Thus, it is only too late if you had waited until after death to try to change.

Regarding Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-31, see:

You were not married to anyone while you were sinning. Intentions of marrying are not the same as being married. There was no covenant, so there is an obligation to fulfill its terms. You are allowed to marry, but this time leave the sex off until after the marriage.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email