It is important to understand that the Bible nowhere teaches that we are to continue in sin until Jesus returns. Paul asked, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2). The new birth results in a new life: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9). This does not mean a believer will never stumble and fall, but it does mean sin is no longer the practice, pattern, or love of their life, because they have been “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). They have been made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 17), and by the Spirit they are to “put to death” sin daily (Romans 8:13).
In Revelation 22: 11 it says, “He that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still.” This is not a license to continue in sin, but a warning of final judgment. It is to show that when Christ returns whatever condition a person is in, filthy in sin or righteous in Christ, meaning when Jesus comes, whatever condition a person is in at that moment, clean or filthy, saved or lost, that’s how they will remain for all eternity. There will be no more chances to change after that. There is no second chance after His coming. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation:” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If you are filthy in sin, it is time to repent and be washed in the blood of Christ.
As for our resurrection and being changed “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15: 52), this is a reference to our mortal, corruptible bodies being exchanged for immortal, incorruptible ones. But that change at Christ’s return is not a license to practice sin until then. Scripture is plain on this: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). If we “continue in sin” it is a certain and sure fact that we will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, Galatians 5:19–21). Christ is not promising at the end of the age to make willful sinners holy against their will. He commands every man everywhere to repent now (Acts 17:30).
The Bible clearly teaches that we can have victory over sin only through Jesus Christ. “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). We will overcome by “the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and have not loved their lives unto death” (Revelation 12:11, Galatians 5:16). Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience now, not later. “If we hope for anything yet further, even life everlasting, it is even by him that we hope to receive according to his glorious power, even to the exceeding riches of his grace” (Romans 6:23). “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
