The document discusses the implications of willful sin versus sins committed in ignorance, emphasizing that deliberate sin leads to God's judgment while forgiveness is only possible through true repentance. It highlights that all individuals are accountable for their actions, as no one can claim utter ignorance of God. Ultimately, the need for repentance and acceptance of Jesus is fundamental to receiving forgiveness and avoiding condemnation.

1. What happens if we deliberately sin?
Do we lose our salvation?
God makes a distinction between those who sin in ignorance and
those who sin willfully (Numbers 15:27-31), repentance is always
necessary to receive forgiveness (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; Acts 26:18).
Repentance is literally a change in one’s attitude about God and
accompanies saving faith in Christ (Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:20).
Without it there can be no forgiveness. Jesus said, “No, I tell you; but
unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3; cf. 17:3-4; 2
Peter 3:9).
To sin willfully is to be proud and presumptuous in one’s defiance of
God (Psalm 19:13; Hebrews 10:26). Willful sins bring God’s judgment,
sooner or later, but sins of ignorance are not excusable, either:
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2. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as
other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in
them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have
given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19; (Acts 3:17-19; Acts 17:30-31).
Forgiveness is available to all, but its God’s sovereign grace to cause
true repentance in order to be pardoned (Ephesians 2:4).
Those who reject Jesus and His word in ignorance must accept Him in
repentance in order to receive forgiveness of their sins. “Jesus saith
unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.” John 14:6
It doesn’t matter whether someone misses the way because of
ignorance or because of willful rebellion—he has still missed the way.
People are not as ignorant as they may claim, however. No one can be
utterly ignorant of God, and no one has an excuse to live in
disobedience.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that
which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto
them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power
and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:18-20
Though we may at times sin in ignorance, we can always be assured
of God’s forgiveness. The apostle Paul is a classic example of this
truth: “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 1 Timothy 1:13
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3. Yet for those who willfully and habitually sin, Peter and John makes it
clear..
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered
unto them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
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