Is Sin Truly Removed?

Blessings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s learn from the Bible, the Word of God, which is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

There is a crucial difference between forgiveness of sin and removal of sin.

When someone wrongs you—perhaps insults or steals from you—and asks for forgiveness, you can forgive them by letting go of the offense in your heart. However, forgiving does not necessarily mean that the person has stopped that sinful behavior. If the root cause of the sin is not removed, they may repeat the offense (Proverbs 26:11). Forgiveness in this case means releasing them personally, but not necessarily changing their nature.

The same applies to our relationship with God. We can receive forgiveness for our sins, but if the root of sin inside us remains, we will continue to struggle and fall into the same sins repeatedly (Romans 7:15-20). The root of sin must be removed, and this is why Jesus came—to deal with sin fully (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Jesus came not only to forgive sins but also to remove sin from our lives. Before Jesus, people asked God for forgiveness and were forgiven (Psalm 32:1-2), but sin was not removed from their nature or memory—it was covered, but not taken away (Isaiah 1:18). Because of this, they kept repeating the same sins. But when Jesus came, He provided a way for sin to be removed from the believer’s heart and life (Hebrews 8:12).

So how do we experience this removal of sin so that sin no longer rules or enslaves us?

First, it begins with repentance—turning to God and admitting we are sinners (Acts 3:19). This means confessing all our sins sincerely before God, both those we are aware of and those we aren’t (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance leads to God’s forgiveness.

But repentance alone is not enough. The next essential step is to be baptized correctly. Baptism is the outward sign that completes repentance and brings the inner cleansing of sin (Acts 2:38).

Acts 2:37-38 says:

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Proper baptism in the name of Jesus Christ leads to forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a new life free from the power of sin (Romans 6:3-7).

When repentance and baptism are heartfelt, the sinful habits that troubled us—such as sexual immorality—begin to die (Galatians 5:16-17). We gain victory over sin because its root has been removed (Colossians 3:5-10). The sinful nature that once controlled us is replaced by a new nature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It is important to understand that not every baptism removes sin. Some baptisms are empty rituals that don’t bring real change (Matthew 7:21-23). The correct baptism involves full immersion in water (John 3:23) and is done in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 19:5-6).

Do you want to stop being a slave to sin? Follow the teaching in Acts 2:37-38. God is faithful and will fulfill His promises (2 Timothy 2:13).

Shalom.

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