As Christians who believe in both easy believism and the eternal security of the believer, it is extremely important that, even though God will forgive us if we will live in as much sin as possible, we still try to live righteously to honor Him. The Bible gives us great motivation to love others through trying to be like Christ by telling us about both the earthly and spiritual rewards of living a clean life.
Repenting of sin according to the Bible follows this simple plan:
Think of a goal you have for your life, most preferably your spiritual growth.
List what behaviors you know you will need to consistently execute in order to achieve that goal.
List the sins you know you are currently committing and estimate the amount of time and effort you spend on committing those sins.
Whenever you feel tempted to commit one of your known sins, replace that sinful behavior with one of the productive behaviors listed in step 2. This may cause you to stop spending time with certain people in your life.
Profit
Psalms 1:1-3 encapsulates this entire plan by saying:
"1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
The two main categories in "whatsoever he doeth" are things that reap spiritual rewards and earthly rewards. There are many verses that deal specifically with each one.
The Spiritual Rewards
The most important thing that we should be doing as believers is telling other people about the free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. That is our goal. The Bible says in many places how important it is for us to make God look good to everyone around us.
2 Corinthians 5:20 "20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God."
When we preach the word of God "speaking the truth in love," it is important to not cause unbelievers to turn away from God because of our own actions.
2 Corinthians 6:3-6 "3 Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,"
1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 "14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil."
1 Corinthians 2:15 " 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
Even in the workplace, it is important to know that our bosses and/or coworkers will be judging our behavior to see if it matches with our faith.
1 Timothy 6:1 "1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
Paul also compares living a successful Christian life to the life of an athlete who runs for an incorruptible crown, with the crown being him not getting cast away when he is preaching.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
All of this is done for the end result, that those who we see everyday might be saved.
Luke 15:7 "15 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
For clarification of Luke 15:7, see our proof that to repent regarding salvation means to change one's mind about putting their faith in Christ, and not turning from sins. Also, see why we are King James Only for more information of the true definition of repentance.
In addition to the verses shown above that give positive reinforcement for why we should live Godly lives, there are also verses that show the spiritual consequences of our actions when living in the world today. It not only applies to getting people saved. It also applies to not being a stumbling block for other Christians.
Matthew 18:6 "6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Luke 17:2 "2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."
We also see when David committed adultery with Bathsheba, God ridiculed him specifically about how others would blaspheme Him because of David's sin.
2 Samuel 12:14a "14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme..."
The Earthly Rewards
Physical Health and a Long Life
Ecclesiastes 10:17 "Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!"
Proverbs 20:1 "1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Proverbs 23:29-31 " 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright."
Proverbs 20:4 "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Professional Success
Proverbs 22:29 "29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
Proverbs 6:6-11 "6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."
In light of both of these earthly benefits, it is important that we know how to use them for the glory of God and not for our own temporary benefit. We should care about our physical heath to live a long and prosperous spiritual life, having more time to get as many people saved as possible. Likewise we should also use the financial blessings that God has given us to invest both our money and our free time into sharing the Gospel with the whole world. Everything should point to Christ.