Awhile back someone used a verse to make a point and funny enough the intention they had in using the verse to refute my point actually only solidified my perspective. I had an "aha!" moment. In fact it is quite powerful, the verse makes it clear that even the last, most recent, sin you committed is only dealt with by faith in Him through His blood. No other means, He is the final sacrifice and His blood is sufficient.
1 Corinthians 15:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Notice the correlation of one still being in their sins if Christ is not risen and their faith being in vain (or futile). There is no mention of sin confession for forgiveness, or mention of penance. Just a simple Gospel perspective. If Christ isn't risen your faith is in vain and you are still in your sins. Therefore, if Christ is risen then your faith is not in vain and you are no longer in your sins.
What does this mean? If you have faith in Christ you are no longer in your sins. Your sin is dealt with, paid for, by Jesus Christ's sacrifice. His blood is sufficient. So many people get hung up on all of these crazy doctrines and belief systems that, basically, try to replace what Jesus already accomplished on your behalf. You are forgiven, present tense. Your sins? Taken care of. Did Jesus Christ rise from the dead? What does your faith say? Then you are not in your sins. You are in Him.
Its so very simple, the Gospel. It doesn't have to be complicated. He is risen and you are forgiven. The truth of His resurrection is the crux to your justification. Your sins are dealt with and you are justified before God if Jesus Christ is indeed risen. The Christian faith believes this ergo you stand justified before God. You are not in your sins, but in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Notice the correlation of one still being in their sins if Christ is not risen and their faith being in vain (or futile). There is no mention of sin confession for forgiveness, or mention of penance. Just a simple Gospel perspective. If Christ isn't risen your faith is in vain and you are still in your sins. Therefore, if Christ is risen then your faith is not in vain and you are no longer in your sins.
What does this mean? If you have faith in Christ you are no longer in your sins. Your sin is dealt with, paid for, by Jesus Christ's sacrifice. His blood is sufficient. So many people get hung up on all of these crazy doctrines and belief systems that, basically, try to replace what Jesus already accomplished on your behalf. You are forgiven, present tense. Your sins? Taken care of. Did Jesus Christ rise from the dead? What does your faith say? Then you are not in your sins. You are in Him.
Its so very simple, the Gospel. It doesn't have to be complicated. He is risen and you are forgiven. The truth of His resurrection is the crux to your justification. Your sins are dealt with and you are justified before God if Jesus Christ is indeed risen. The Christian faith believes this ergo you stand justified before God. You are not in your sins, but in Christ.