Why is Ongoing Forgiveness of Sins Needed

In Orthodox theology, grace (the Holy Spirit) is understood as the uncreated energy of God that both saves and sanctifies us. It is not a one-time event but an ongoing process throughout a believer's life. After the Incarnation followed by the Cross, Christ’s victory over sin and death, made the grace of God abundantly available to all who believe in Him. This grace is not only about the initial forgiveness of sins but also about the continual transformation of the believer into the likeness of Christ (theosis).

Grace empowers believers to live a holy life, to repent, and to grow in their relationship with God. It is through grace that we are healed from the effects of sin and enabled to participate in the divine life. While the Cross offers the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, Orthodox Christianity teaches that repentance remains an essential part of the Christian life. Repentance is not a one-time act but an ongoing attitude of turning away from sin and turning toward God. This is reflected in the regular practice of repentance and the sacrament of Confession, where believers receive absolution for sins committed after baptism.

The Orthodox Church teaches that the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession, are means by which God’s grace is imparted to believers. The Eucharist is particularly important as it is considered the "medicine of immortality," cleansing and renewing the believer. Confession provides a means for the faithful to receive forgiveness and be reconciled with God and the Church. This sacramental life is central to how Orthodox Christians understand the ongoing process of receiving grace and forgiveness. It is through these sacraments that believers are continually nourished and healed.

Orthodox Christianity places a strong emphasis on askesis, or spiritual struggle, as part of the Christian life. This struggle involves prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and other spiritual disciplines that help believers grow in virtue and resist sin. This is not about earning God’s grace, but about cooperating with it and allowing it to transform every aspect of our lives. The struggle against sin is ongoing, and through it, the believer learns to rely more fully on God’s grace. We must give our effort in cooperation with Grace or the Holy Spirit. The Cross provides the victory over sin, but the Christian life involves actively participating in that victory through spiritual struggle and growth.

Orthodox Christianity acknowledges that even after the Cross, believers continue to sin due to human weakness. However, God’s love and mercy is always available, and His grace is sufficient to forgive and restore us whenever we repent and turn back to Him no matter how serious the sin. He is not seeking to punish us but to heal our soul. The Church Fathers often spoke of the Christian life as a continual journey of repentance and renewal. The Orthodox understanding is that salvation is not a one-time event but a dynamic process of being saved, where the believer continually receives God’s mercy and grace throughout their life. This process culminates in the final judgment, where God’s mercy and justice are fully revealed.

In contrast to the Protestant focus on justification by faith alone, the Orthodox Church teaches that justification and sanctification are inseparable and ongoing. The believer is justified by faith, but this justification is an entry point into a life of sanctification, where the believer is gradually transformed into the likeness of Christ (theosis). The Incarnation, Cross and Resurrection of Christ are the foundation of this process, but the believer’s response through faith, repentance, and participation in the sacramental life is essential for experiencing the fullness of God’s grace.

Orthodox Christianity teaches that grace and forgiveness are ongoing realities in the life of a believer. After the Cross, the grace of God continues to work in believers, calling them to repentance, healing them from sin, and transforming them into the likeness of Christ. The sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, are central to this ongoing process along with spiritual discipline like prayer and fasting. While the Cross provides the victory over sin, the Christian life involves a continual response to God’s grace through repentance, spiritual struggle, and participation in the life of the Church. God’s mercy is always available, and through His grace, believers are continually forgiven and renewed.