Can One Live in a Constant State of Sinfulness and Still Be Saved?

Good question; isn't it? And it's a question people think but don't ask. Many times they are afraid of the answer they might hear.

There was a very famous evangelist who had traveled the world preaching the gospel, and he was admired by many- including me. After his death due to cancer, it was discovered that for many years he had been living a secret lifestyle of sexual unfaithfulness. I think many Christians think of Matthew 7:1-3, "“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

Some use this verse to justify their own sin. It becomes easy to think; "everyone sins; why should I not be like everyone else?" Jesus didn't call us to be like everyone else; did He?

In truth I must say the Bible says, "5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!, (Matthew 7).

But we can never justify sin.

Additionally, one cannot live with only that sin. One must concoct layers of sin to protect the sin being committed. Imagine how many lies the man had to tell over the years to cover up his liaisons. As the saying goes, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

What was missing? Well, being constantly traveling and busy, this evangelist didn't have time to be a member of a church. The great Apostle Paul tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together." Why is that important? It is because we need that constant support and fellowship of other believers to build our Christian life properly. John Donne said "No man is an island." He meant we can't properly exist on our own without others. This is especially true in the life of faith. We need community. To commune with others weekly is very important to help us stay on track biblically. We must not only be accountable to God, but to each other as well. We are the family of God and we need to be together.

If you are trying to live the Christian life without church, you are making a mistake. Our Lord constantly stressed this issue. To be out of church all of the time will open the door to a sinful way of life. Don't let it happen to you. Go to church, and join if you are saved. If you haven't yet trusted Jesus for salvation and forgiveness, then do so today. Then go to a good church and become a faithful, attending member.