There are 7 groups of people in this world. All of us sin. No one is perfect. But 6 groups are those who continue to sin not considering sin's consequences and it's impact on their lives and the lives of others around them. Only one group repents as soon as one realises that one has hurt a loving and compassionate God and does one's best to avoid hurting Him in future.
Now let us see who the above mentioned 6 groups of people are.
1. The first group of people are those who do not believe in God or an eternal after life. Since they believe that they disintegrate into nothingness after they die, they seek to enjoy their lives to the max, while still alive. They seek to enjoy all forms of pleasures and acquire all wealth irregardless of the methods used or people they hurt along the way. All they are concerned about is, themselves. 'Each man for himself!' is their motto.
2. This second group of people are those who believe in re-birth on earth. They are those who believe that they will be born as an animal or human depending on how they live now on earth. They come from many diverse religions. They pray to many gods. They seek to enjoy all they can while still being a human being on earth. "What if I am born as a goat or an ant in my next birth, I won't be able to enjoy this or that. Of course there are those who do not want to be born as an animal, bird, reptile or insect, but as a human being. So they try to do charitable works and many sacrifices like fasting etc to avoid punishment, for their sins which they commit now, in their next birth on earth.
3. This third group believes in a special place called purgatory where they will go after they die, provided they are Catholics. They believe all their sins will be purged in purgatory and then they will enter heaven spotlessly clean. Since this place gives them the guaranteed assurance of heaven, they don't worry about their sinful habits, as long as they are Catholics. They also believe that the prayers and sacrifices of their loved ones on earth who are still living on earth will get them to heaven from purgatory faster. Long ago, prayers were sold by popes for money to help souls get to heaven in a much shorter period. These prayers were called indulgences. Then they also believe that when they ask the mother of Jesus and the saints to pray for them on their behalf, Jesus will answer their prayers immediately and that they will be saved in this manner although they continue in their habitual sins now.
4. This fourth group of people believe that once they accept Christ Jesus, their past, present and future sins are all forgiven and they are saved. So they continue in their sinful habits as they believe they are saved by God's grace. They believe that God already knows their future sins and Jesus died for all their future sins also. So if they commit adultery, God has already forgiven their sin 2000 years ago. So it is OK. They believe that no sin can separate them from Christ Jesus and that they need not as for forgiveness. They say that is being, 'Sin Conscious'.
5. The fifth group are also Christians but they believe that they are saved only by their works. So although they sin they are not greatly worried because they believe that the good works they do will wipe away their sins.
6. This sixth and last group of people who continue to sin are those who do not care two hoods about heaven or hell. They can be of any religion. They don't even follow their own religious practices properly. They just want to enjoy life while on earth. They believe that their conscience is their god and at times they subdue their conscience and continue to do what they like. If they get into trouble they try to justify their actions by killing their conscience.
The only group of people who do their best to avoid sinning further, are those who love their Saviour Jesus Who died a cruel death in their place and bought them salvation by shedding His blood. They are not afraid of God, but they are afraid that they will hurt Him. They are afraid to lose Him. These are the imperfect people, sinful people who repent and run into His arms when they do something wrong. They tell Him they are sorry and they resolve never to hurt Him by sinning again. They live a well balanced life of good works and faith in Christ. The only thing which sets them apart from all the others is their immense love of Christ Jesus and fear of hurting God.
So again, Why Do People Continue To Sin? My answer is, They don't know Jesus, or they do not know Him well enough yet. They don't have an intimate relationship with Him. Then for the many who dabble with the dark forces, that are so afraid of God and they run away from Him.
~Mary Augustine~
01/07/16
