One of my good friends said that because of the message he was hearing in church, he expected to sin regularly. Why is this?
Because the message of the church today may not, in fact, always be the message of Jesus. His offer is not simply "get forgiven -- go to heaven." Jesus' message is, "I will give you a new heart." -- Radiant, strong, inclined towards goodness ... and not towards sin. More to the point he says, "I will give you my own heart, removing the one that used to lead you into sickness, distrust and rebellion." Take my heart.
You can now expect holiness from your heart, the goodness and vitality of Jesus himself within you. And this gives you permission: to indulge your deepest desires -- for they are now untainted and noble. (Didn't God promise to "give you the desires of your heart?" How did he do that?) He gave you a new heart -- with fresh desires, some of which are unique only to your heart.
You can now expect to dream more earnestly.
Delight more relentlessly.
Resist your tempters more confidently.
Your heart is stronger and more noble than you think. Expect that.