What’s the difference between struggling with sin and living in sin?

A student asked this. And it’s a good question. And to answer it in a nutshell: struggling with sin is a sign of life, whereas living in sin is a sign of death.

·         In terms of life, struggling with sin will have active elements like repentance and faith. And importantly the kind of godly grief spoken of in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death).

But again, while struggling with sin is hard, it’s a sign of life. Those dead in their sin don’t struggle consistently in godly ways with their sin, especially in terms of motives and affections. But for those in Christ, living in between Christ’s first coming (when he paid for the judgment of our sin), and Christ’s second coming (when he will banish any presence of sin), the sign of life is that the Spirit from Christ is enabling and spurring us on to fight sinful desires and designs. Desires and designs that are ultimately contrary to the new life both secured and to be perfected in Jesus by the Spirit.

·         Contrary to that, in terms of death, living in sin will have longer or total absences of repentance and faith. And often the kind of ‘grief’ or reasons for change will be shallow and worldly. For instance, fear of people’s opinion or even just the consequences of sin driving matters, rather than a genuine hatred for sin that has come from a great love of God and his ways.

Living in sin removes assurance of salvation. It is active rebellion against God, a path or conduct you persist in - even though you may be aware of God’s desire in this area. The book of Hebrews speak often about this kind of danger of living in sin – see for instance Hebrews 10:26-39 which speaks of deliberate sin against God.

But the good news is that even those living in sin can come to the Father in faith, trusting in Jesus to forgive their sins, and for the Spirit to renew them to enter the fight against sin. But don’t come to hedge your bets, come because He is worth it, and because He offers true and lasting life with Him.