Teens' Top Questions About the Bible AnsweredSample

If God Forgives My Sins, Why Can’t I Do Whatever I Want?

The Bible is very clear that no one can keep God’s law perfectly. Ever since Adam and Even sinned in the Garden of Eden, people have been unable to obey God and keep all of his commandments. That is why keeping the Law is not the way to salvation. Instead, God sent his Son to earth to be a sacrifice for sins. Jesus paid the price for our sins, and we are saved by grace not by our good works.

Paul explained that when we are baptized, we are united with Christ and share in his death and resurrection. For us to share in Christ’s death means that our old sinful natures die away. To share in his resurrection means that our new identity comes to life. This new identity is one that tries, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live a life that pleases God. And we don’t want to take this gift of forgiveness lightly or for granted. We need to continue to strive to rid our lives of sin in thankfulness and service to God.