[Das Outsider]

Our Lord made a big sacrifice for our sins - therefore the least we can do is sin less.

But we do not pay him back by choosing to sin less. That is a purely outward action. Rather, God desires obedience from the heart that manifests itself in those actions. The question, "Should I sin less?" suggests that one knows the difference between right and wrong but just doesn't care, although we are all sinful by nature and will--from time to time--sin.

Jesus asks that we give him nothing and everything: our whole selves, forsaking all things, like the man who found the treasure buried in the field. But don't get me wrong--it isn't by our effort, for soon we would find ourselves stumbling, getting frustrated, and perhaps, giving up because we are not committed enough or not progressing as we expect. That is the Holy Spirit's work, thank God, and it isn't all at once. You don't just wake up and POOF!

[Irish_Thatcherite]

That's true.

[Tax-chick]

But we do not pay him back by choosing to sin less.

Excellent point. Also, the phrasing "choosing to sin less" implies that our sins are generally a matter of deliberate choice, "Am I going to sin today, or am I going to attempt virtue?" I don't find that to be the way I sin. Rather, even though every day I "choose" to obey the Lord, I still sin because of weakness, fear, lack of faith.