Being "saved" is a fairly common concept in the religious world today. You ask God to forgive you of your sins and you are then considered "saved." But it's not a permanent change- you are still constantly asking God to forgive you, constantly struggling because you're doing things you know you shouldn't do. Many Christians today believe that once God saves you, you are saved forever, no matter what you do. The Bible says that it is possible to "fall away" from God and lose that relationship with him (Hebrews 6:4-6). Thankfully, God still loves us and it is possible to be restored, but this requires a truly repentant heart and should not be taken lightly. If you are struggling, going from sin to salvation and back again, re-examine yourself. Have I fully committed to Christ?
This is where sanctification comes in. This is a much less common idea in today's religious world but it is one that God's word, the Bible, is very clear about. This is a complete consecration, or commital, to living for Christ. This is the step after salvation that will allow you to remain without sin (yes, completely without sin!) by being filled with the spirit of God.
This can be an uncomfortable idea at first, especially in the religious environment today that claims that everyone sins - everyone just does their best to be a good person and hopes that God knows that they're trying. While it is commendable to want to do your best to live for God, there is more than just a mental decision that is required. We cannot simply think to ourselves, or say to our youth group or counselor, "I want to live for God." We must repent fully from our sins, and as God opens our hearts and minds to how He desires for us to live, full commital (sanctification) will be a natural next step.
God wants to live WITHIN us! And through HIS power alone, we can live each and every day for Him, without sin, making every decision with a mind that is yearning for God's will. What a special relationship that is. This is a foreign idea for many- the idea of living completely without sin doesn't seem attainable. We are a group of people who can testify that it is, through the power of God. If this sounds like what you're looking for- a life of peace, of being completely committed to God, of being filled with the spirit of God in your every day life, no longer struggling with sin- we encourage you to come and hear more. Stay curious about God and how your relationship with Him right now may be only the tip of the iceburg.
If you want to explore more about what the Bible says about these ideas, here are some places you can start! Explore the context of these scriptures for yourself and pray that God will help you remain open to the idea that there may be more to the Christian experience.
2: Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.