Rudy Baga's blog titled "There are two shackles around the ankles of many Christians"(Monday Aug.13), is a must read. I have linked to his blog. With apologies to him, I would like to try and reinforce his article.
1 John 1:9 has lead to a huge misunderstanding. It reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This one verse has lead many Christians to think that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven. Note that I said "Christians". These are ones who have already confessed, agreed with God that they were sinners in need of His grace, and received it.
Now, if it's true that all sin must be confessed to be forgiven, then can I assume that all unconfessed sin will not be forgiven? Again I am referring to a Christian. Can I assume that Jesus' blood only covered my sins up to my "birth from above" and after that I have to confess for the sins I commit afterward to be forgiven? If I have one unconfessed sin, I'm going to hell. Is that your understanding?
For the sake of this article I would like to define confession as I believe most Christians would define it. I believe most would define confession as asking forgiveness of sins committed.
[That is not the definition and if you read Rudy's blog, he defines it for you. He says, "First of all the word for “confess” in the original Greek, means to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). This gives a little different feel than what we typically think of with confession."]
I only bring this up because of a conversation I had the other night. The person I spoke with believes unconfessed sin will land you (Christian) in hell!! I am talking about a born again Christian women who has been a believer for a long time!
When I disagreed with her she immediately asked if I believe in the doctrine of eternal security (once saved always saved). The implication was that I believe a person who has professed faith in Jesus can live a sinful lifestyle and still go to heaven. I was misunderstood. However I am in good company because Paul was misunderstood too. Read Romans chapter six. Verses one and two state, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
True born again believers do not want to live a sinful lifestyle, 1 John 5:18. I am not saying that they don't sin. When Christians sin they can be comforted that Jesus took care of it, 1 John 2:1.
Why do Christians want to be in control of their salvation? Why can't we be comfortable with the work that Jesus did? (I had a pastor friend ask me that question.) As a Christian, did you provide the way of salvation, restoring your relationship with God? Did God not call you? Wasn't it God's work? His plan? His Son? His Spirit? His Word? What makes you think you have to sanctify yourself?
Christian! ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM!!!! Use your freedom to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, bretheran; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."
Christians do not need to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven. He remembers our sin no more. Read Psalm 103:11,12. Read Isaiah 1:18. Read Romans 8. However, just like our earthly parents, we feel bad for being disobedient to our Father (one who is "unsaved" wouldn't care). We say I'm sorry ,not for forgiveness, but for peace of mind, or a restored relationship, and we move forward in our walk with Him.
This article didn't quite go in the direction I had planned. I'm guessing that is a good thing. Even so, as always, let me know what you think. God bless y'all real good.
10 comments:
Wow that was right on! Amen.
Most people- are afraid to strive with the traditions of men that have been established through the years to get us believers into 'works' righteousness(do this, do that, and then you'll be forgiven). Jesus did it already-I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Incidently, our essential task here is to walk in truth and the light. If we go against God's direction and don't acknowledge it immediately and 'aggree' or 'be in aggreement' with the truth, we begin to walk in darkness and lies. We also don't get the opportunity to remember that Jesus died for all of our weeknesses and that we are forgiven and the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Paul was told by Jesus in reference to his own weekness 'my grace is sufficient for you-in your weekness my strenth is made perfect!
Thanks KH for the link to my blog. I actually have two recent posts on that topic, mixed in with some unrelated posts.
That being said I think you bring up some very good points. First, the person who responded to you did so because there is a fairly elaborate system that some have set up that has us losing our salvation every time we sin. We have then fallen from grace. Then we must confess that sin so that we can move back under grace. And then the way I see it we mutter under our breath, “Phew that was a close one!” Talk abut bondage and fear! And works!!
I John 2:1-2 are verses that also are confusing to some, but if properly placed in context I believe they help us understand our relationship to God. John wants it to be clear that Jesus paid the penalty for all of the sins of the world. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation (literally “satisfaction”) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
What John is saying is that Jesus paid for all of the sins of humanity. That’s ALL! The debt is paid. What remains is for each human individual to allow that payment to be credited to their account and thus move from darkness to light. I don’t want to make it sound like a business transaction, but in one sense it is such a transaction. The biblical writers actually used these terms at times to describe our situation. A debt too great to pay then Jesus pays it for us at great personal sacrifice. What remains for us is to accept this payment and then spend our lives basking in his grace and learning to know him more and live out our lives free of this debt. A little later in John’s letter he exclaims,
“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure.”
I wonder how much of this has to do with a "stuck feeler", in the words of Bill Gilham. Perhaps we don't "feel" saved when we are convicted of sin in our lives.
I also have a question. Are you speaking of sins we knowingly and willingly commit? I guess all sins are sins we knowingly and willingly commit since we are accountable for what we know. I need to think on this. I guess my question then becomes do you think its possible to let sin go on in our lives unapologeticially to the point where we fall from grace? Or even apologetically, but still continue to walk in it? I guess I think of times that you and I have talked about your conviction in the bar with Bible verses playing in your head, but kept on doing what you were doing anyhow. Or like our believing friend who died of a drug overdose. Am I making sense?
Perhaps God lets these things go for a time until we feel the weight of the consequences and we can whole heartedly repent of these things?
I know I am rambling, but I'm thinking as I type. Would love to know your thoughts. I hope you can make out some semblance of what I said.
Kez, I'm pondering what you are saying. Let's look at the 5 years I walked away, in college. My conscience bugged me in the time period, sometimes moreso than others. But I have to believe that God is what brought me back. Circumstance occured in my life that were beyond my control, you know, that point where you hit rock bottom. And in that process much healing needed to take place and in some areas, still does. But that took a long time within itself. So perhaps, God does have a plan and purpose in our lives once we're saved, and sometimes we're really stubborn and it takes a while for us to come to our senses, but perhaps we always do. I suffered for some time, even after coming to my senses after that period in my life, and again, I still feel the bite sometimes. But maybe that's just all part of the growing process.
So, I guess with that being said, KH might be right. If we are TRULY saved, then sin loses its power. And when we, as believers, continue to live in sin, then God disciplines us accordingly. We don't disown our children when they keep breaking the rules or doing things they shouldn't (at least most of the time), however we discipline our children with the hopes that they will eventually learn. Isn't that sort of how God is?
Sorry, I think I rambled too. Don't know if that helps.
The following comment is from a friend of mine:
Only because I know your heart I say amen to the
> article. You are a man with a humble and teachable
> spirit. I know from experience with you that if and
> when you think you've failed the Lord, yourself or
> others, you have been quick to repent and ask God's
> mercy.
> Others who may not know that of you may consider
> the article a license to be flippant concerning
> willful disobedience and take from it an 'oh, well,
> Jesus still loves me' attitude without dealing with
> the issue. I know this is not your intent.
> Though it is true that confessing each individual
> sin is not required for salvation. I do see a thread
> through out the scriptures where confession of sin
> is
> encouraged for a number of reasons.
> 1. A clear conscience
> 2. An unhindered prayer life
> 3. A more comfortable fellowship with other
> believers
> 4. An accountability relationship with another
> believer
>
> For the above stated reasons, I believe that
> confession of individual sins is something that is
> meant for our benefit here on earth in the here and
> now. Whether we confess to God, each other or
> ourself
> (Sometimes this is the hardest one to confess to) I
> think we will benefit from it.
>
> In a recent sermon series on humility I defined
> biblical humility. It is not what we think. The
> literal definition is "to have an accurate
> assessment
> of ones self". This is really, to me, the cruxt of
> my
> argument for confession. To confess is to be honest
> with yourself about where you are in your walk.
>
> As I said from the beginning, KH, I believe I
> know your heart. So, please, do not take this as
> criticism, for I know of no one else who takes their
> relationship with God as seriously as you do. I just
> wanted to add some food to chew on. Good article
> overall. Praise be to God. Be blessed
>
Just got back from traveling and had a chance to read the responses to KH’s blog post. This is good stuff. I’d encourage anyone thinking about this topic to read the two posts on my blog. KH kindly provides a link to my blog in the side bar (“Rudy Baga – Blog”). I don’t make any money on it, but if you read those posts I don’t have to reiterate it all here. ;~)
Specifically first check out the August 13 entry (regarding the two shackles) and then August 21 (on Cool Hand Luke). These give more detail around this fundamental and often misunderstood concept.
Having read all of the “comments” to KH’s original post together, here are some additional comments, all lumped together.
I do believe that “ecclesia” hits the nail on the proverbial head when in her lat paragraph she reminds us of the parent child love relationship that God the Father has with us. That is not just a nice metaphor. It is a powerful life changing concept.
It always gets back to scripture, and what it says. Though knowing KH’s heart, will give someone who knows him more open-ness to read and ponder what he says, ultimately the question is whether it is what God says. Also, this is one area where we need to clearly differentiate the Old Covenant from the New, because God does. Much of our understanding and practice of confession, is from the OT where forgiveness of sins was tied to sacrifices under the Levitical law. Under the New Covenant Jesus is the High Priest who is better than the Levitical Priests (read Hebrews). He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time. We who have “confessed” are saved forever, having a better sacrifice than was available before Jesus died for us and paid the penalty “ONCE FOR ALL”!
So when we use these terms (sprinkled through all of our comments) we need to be careful and ask why we should “repent” and what does it mean. What does it mean to “fall from grace”. What is God’s “plan for our lives” etc. Regarding the latter let me state that God’s “plan” was not for ecclesia to wander in the wilderness for 5 years, but His plan was for her to know Him, obey Him and love Him. He was next to her, guiding her and loving her during those 5 years while Satan was wooing her to reject God’s love for the faux love that the world offers, and along with it, eternal death. Assuming she was a believer during those years, I would submit that she was in the midst of the cosmic struggle where Satan tries his best to destroy the work of God. Her sins were already paid for. The struggle was not for her to be forgiven, but for her to return to her first love and embrace Him as He was waiting to embrace her, as the loving father of his prodigal daughter.
A right conception of God is basic not only to systamatic theology but to practical living as well... In my opinion the Christian conception of God today is so decadent as to be utterly beneath the dignity of the Most High God and as such actually puts modern professed believers in a moral calamity. Let us beware lest we in our pride accept the erroneous notion that idolatry consists only in kneeling before visible objects of adoration, and that the civilized peoples are therefore free from it.The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him. It begins in the mind and may be present when no overt act of worship has taken place.
Perverted notions of God soon rot and degrade the religion in which they appear. The first step down for any church is taken when it surrenders it's high opinion of God.
The heaviest obligation lying on the Christian Church today is to purify and elevate her concept of God.. In all her prayers and labors this should havs first place. We do the greatest service to the next generation of Christians by passing on to them undimmed and undiminished, that noble concept of God which we have recieved from our Hebrew and Christian fathers of generations past. This will prove a greater value to them than anything we can make up on our own or that art and science can devise. (author unknown)
While we don't understand His plans we can trust that He is True.
pk
Some interesting points here pk, but I miss the connection to the theme. Also, what is there about the current view of God that is decadent so that we know how to apply your thoughts?
Also, I’m wondering how idolatry ties in to KH’s post or the comments listed? And, I’m also curious about your definition of idolatry. “The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.” Though, Scripture makes it clear that the mind is critical as Proverbs states, “Guard your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (4:13).
That being said, entertaining something is not what scripture typically talks about, it is when the thought bears fruit and we act on it and sin. James makes this clear, “Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.” (James 1:14-16) Is there something idolatrous in what we’ve said that we need to be wary of?
One passage that does relate to what you say is “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) Lusting for something, coveting, is called idolatry by Paul.
Finally back to I John, the letter that started all of this, and he states this idea well, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 )
Please clarify. I’m probably just missing something obvious.
The comfort to the believer is that all of our sins are forgiven. God has put it all on the line. We are completely, forever, once and for all, totally forgiven. The debt of all time for all sins was nailed to the cross, and Jesus paid the penalty for all sins. That is why he shouted “Tete,lestai”. “It is finished, paid in full!!” Diminishing that truth is one critical item that perverts the church and robs Christians of what is rightfully theirs, that which Jesus purchased for them with his blood.
The following is another comment that was sent to me:
I finally went to your blogspot and read your most recent (blog?). I sort of agree. I don't think we should "shrug off" our sin (as Christians.) I do confess (say the same thing as God about) sins I become aware of/convicted of - I guess to restore fellowship as you say if I had to say why. I still even waffle some about eternal security - though I know those who are passionate on either side. Sin is a subtle thing. The way I "work it" is to wait for the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my heart or just the recognition the Bible clearly says not to do/say/whatever I just did, but do believe that as soon as I acknowledge (confess?) the sin, it's no longer an issue.
And still another:
Your blog post was very good and balanced. As Christians we don't
want to practice sin or lead sinful lifestyles. But if we are truthful
with ourselves don't we see sinful attitudes or deeds in our lives,
and see our flesh expressing itself in different ways. I agree that if
we can't save ourselves, we certainly can't sanctify ourselves. That is
not to say we can't obey God through the Holy Spirit's enabling. 2
Peter 1:3 says that God has given us everything we need for life and
godliness.
Your blog brought up a good point that salvation is God's idea,
and that He saves us and keeps us.
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