Forgiveness under the Old Covenant was based upon certain conditions, which included repeated sacrifices from priests under the law which could never take away sin. This ministry provided a temporary forgiveness and covering, but sin still lingered. If forgiveness still needed to be dispensed repeatedly to us in Christ, this suggests Jesus would need to return to perform more sacrifices – over and over again – because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Where statements by Jesus and the Apostle Paul appear to contradict each other regarding forgiveness, they can be explained by recognizing the work of two entirely different covenants, producing very different results. The Old Covenant consisted of continual sacrifices that only provided a reminder of sins. The New Covenant consisted of one sacrifice that took away all sin.
What was the reason for God to give you His Spirit? "We have been given the Spirit who is from God so that we may know and understand the things freely given to us by God." (I Cor 2:12). No requirements, promises or obligations to fulfill. His extension of unconditional grace towards us originates from His nature of love. Grace is uncaused by us as recipients. The act of grace in our lives is rooted completely on the one who gave it, not on the receiver.
Regardless of whatever struggles you've had physically, with the body or even the mind, the scriptures declare as believers in Christ we are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit. That doesn't mean we won't be challenged with opportunities to do wrong. But we're under grace and not works of the law. The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. God has equipped us with His Spirit. Stop trying to battle the flesh and allow Him to do it for you.
