Why Holding Onto Sin Is Like Stealing
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Sometimes, I catch myself wondering: after Jesus took all my sins on the cross, why do I keep acting like they’re still mine to carry? It’s like I’m trying to take back what He already paid for. That’s not just a bad habit—it’s like stealing from the gift of forgiveness He gave me. Let’s dig into what it means to truly let go of our sins, using the Bible and some real-life perspective to make sense of it.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t just a moment in history—it was the ultimate act of love. Isaiah 53:5: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Jesus took the full weight of our sins—every mistake, every regret—so we could be free and at peace with God. That’s not something to brush off. It’s huge, and it changes everything.
When we talk about stealing, we usually think of sneaking someone’s stuff, like breaking the commandment in Exodus 20:15: “You shall not steal.” But here’s a twist: holding onto our sins after Jesus forgave them is like stealing from Him. Imagine Jesus standing there, having carried our guilt to the cross, and us trying to steal it back by living in shame or repeating the same sins without truly repenting. It’s like saying His sacrifice wasn’t enough. That’s not just unfair to Him—it robs us of the freedom He died to give us.
Forgiveness isn’t something we earn—it’s a gift straight from Jesus. Ephesians 1:7 says it clearly: through His blood, we have redemption and forgiveness because of God’s grace. It’s like getting a present we don’t deserve, wrapped in love. But if I keep clinging to my guilt or diving back into the same sins without turning away, am I really accepting that gift? True repentance means handing those sins over to Jesus for good and trusting He’s got them covered.
Jesus didn’t just forgive us to make us feel better—He set us free. Galatians 5:1 puts it like this: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Going back to our old sins or carrying guilt is like choosing to put those chains back on. I don’t want to live like that. I want to embrace the freedom Jesus gave me, living in a way that shows I’m grateful for what He did.
Holding onto our sins after Jesus forgave them is like trying to undo what He accomplished on the cross. It’s saying no to the gift of grace and freedom He’s offering. I’m learning that letting go means trusting Jesus’ sacrifice was enough and living like I believe it. It’s about thanking Him every day by choosing to walk away from sin and toward Him.
Let’s stop stealing back what Jesus already took care of. Let’s embrace His forgiveness, live in His freedom, and show the world what His love can do. What’s one way you’re letting go of your sins to honor His gift? I’d love to hear about it.