[DaveMSmith]

I believe we must, by self examination, look inward on a regular basis to see that we are living a Christian life. How could future sins ever be forgiven if they are never addressed?

Character flaws are specific - it's required that they be addressed individually if they are to be set aside and forgiven.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"I believe we must, by self examination, look inward on a regular basis to see that we are living a Christian life. How could future sins ever be forgiven if they are never addressed?"

Indeed, we must examine ourselves to bring a clean heart before God, in order to preserve fellowship with Him on a daily basis.

This is different than the judicial judgement upon Christ that is applied to each believer at the moment of salvation. Both our nature as sinners and all our sins were judicially dealt with at the cross and we were declared righteous in Him. It is on this basis alone - not works - that a Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit to salvation.

"Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have the access by the faith into this grace in which we have stood, and we boast on the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1,2)