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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: I’m confused by a Bible passage that says if we keep on sinning, we aren’t really saved. I know people who keep going to church while they are living sinful lives and have no shame. They claim they’re under grace, resenting any suggestion that they’re not living according to God’s standard. Should I still pray for them? – D.S.

Dear D.S.: The Bible says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left” (Hebrews 10:26, NIV). Jesus died for our sins and when we reject the sacrifice He’s made, we make a mockery of God’s forgiveness. Deliberately engaging in sin is dangerous. God still calls immorality a sin and the Bible says God is going to judge it.

We should also pray for those who feed on sin. The Lord knows our hearts and He will help us pray in the right way. It pleases Him when we lift someone up by name before the Lord. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, He empowers us to do the right thing. It is hard in the flesh, but as Christians we are given God’s Spirit to help us.

Galatians 5:21 constitutes the most serious warning to those who may think they can sin that grace may abound. The Bible does not teach that sin is completely eradicated from the Christian in this life, but it does teach that sin will no longer reign over us; it teaches that whoever is born of God does not practice sin. We cannot ask forgiveness over and over again for our sins, and then return to our sins expecting God to forgive us. We must turn from our practice of sin and thank Him for transforming our lives so that we can be a witness for Him in all we do.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)