Sin Confession: A Waste of Breath?

[Desertsrose]

Sinners and double-minded, there are two groups being spoken of here. These statements are not both directed to the saints. Look into it. See the context of the statement and what was going on to whom he is addressing.

Hi Ben,

Consider that man put in the paragraphs, chapters and verses. As we read all of James, his audience is the believers from the 12 tribes who were dispersed. So they are Jewish brethren. Probably they were some of the converts right after the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost where thousands were saved in one day.

As you read James you'll find that in the whole letter he is correcting brethren right and left on multiple issues. They had a lot of things wrong and were in need of correction. The text itself tells us that all of these people were believers (brethren). To say otherwise is to ignore the clear printed word, brethren.

Read James as a whole and without chapters and verses. Maybe that will help you see that James was bringing to the brethren a word from God in obedience to the Great Commission.......go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

 

[joaniemarie]

[FONT=&quot]We can confess all the time AND a lot but if we don't believe what God has already told us, our confession is mostly for ourselves. We confess to be forgiven and relieved of our guilt and misery when God already gave us His Son so why are we on the floor crying to be forgiven????

pllllleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssse Lord forgive me!!! I'm sooooo sorrrry and I don't know how I could have been sooooo stupid.... " Your guts are turning inside out at the REGRET and misery felt inside at the stupidity and ruin. There is NO relief from the guilt and remorse. The guilt and sin awareness is infested in our guts.

Will God stop you from feeling this way? No because you have read the Bible and didn't believe your sins have been forgiven as far as the east is from the west. Jesus has taken your sin and guilt and bore them upon His sweet body on the cross. What MORE can He do???

Yet here we are moaning and groaning in our own sin conscience selves not honoring Jesus by accepting that HE already moaned in agony about at the cross for us and on our behalf. SEE JESUS doing all that and allow HIS sacrifice to be enough for God. Then walk on with a deeper appreciation for what He did on the Cross to give us life and power to live for Him now. It is then we will not so easily sin like that again, but should we sin, we again have an Advocate with the Father and we are walking IN that forgiveness aware of Jesus every step we take in our lives., He is nearer than before and goes with us. We have a righteous consciousness or better said a Jesus consciousness. He is the best deterrent for sin. Amen!![/FONT]

 

[joaniemarie]

Originally Posted by FreeNChrist

Made me think of this one, again from Major Thomas...



"There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian! Most folks have never discovered the difference between the one and the other, so that there are those who sincerely try to live a life they do not have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ, and their own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of reality, they can only grasp at rituals, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither!

They are lamps without oil, cars without gas, and pens without ink, baffled at their own impotence in the absence of all that alone can make man functional; for man was so engineered by God that the presence of the Creator within the creature is indispensable to His humanity. Christ gave Himself for us to give Himself to us! His presence puts God back into the man! He came that we might have life - God's life!

There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!"

 

[joaniemarie]

Originally Posted by FreeNChrist

Made me think of this one, again from Major Thomas...



"There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian! Most folks have never discovered the difference between the one and the other, so that there are those who sincerely try to live a life they do not have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ, and their own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of reality, they can only grasp at rituals, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither!

They are lamps without oil, cars without gas, and pens without ink, baffled at their own impotence in the absence of all that alone can make man functional; for man was so engineered by God that the presence of the Creator within the creature is indispensable to His humanity. Christ gave Himself for us to give Himself to us! His presence puts God back into the man! He came that we might have life - God's life!

There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!"

Wow., Got this from a thread reposted called Obsession with Confession. One of your oldies but goodies Ben! Forgot all about this post and it is so excellent. It describes my Christian life before the baptism of the Holy Spirit when I believed in maintaining my own right standing with God.

It is also encouraging to read about the other saints "who have gone on before" us. They too have been lead by the Holy Spirit to re consider long standing interpretations of certain Scriptures such as 1 John 1:9 and others from the view point of the Cross in the new covenant.

I'm encouraged to read about the other Saints who have gone on before. There are so many believers out there who went on the same journey many of us are on. Thank You Jesus.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

God chastens us to force us to face our sin and repent.

Matthew 11:28
King James Version(KJV)

28.)Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
+++
Does that scripture Indicate force?

 

[Rosemaryx]

Well said sister.

The reason the new gospel is so popular is that repentance is usually removed. We dont like to repent.

Hi Issachar...Is it not God who calls us to repent...I have found since walking with our Lord 2 yrs this month that when I lose my peace, I know God is reminding me I have done something not pleasing to Him...I go back over my day or passed days, and sure enough I find where I lost my peace, it maybe that I have spoken to someone not in a nice way, or did something in my behaviour, either way our Lord always lets me know...Then I come to Him and yes " Yes Lord you are right, thank you God for given me Your precious Son who has washed me clean and made me as white as snow", I am always brought back to remembrance of what our Lord has done for me, I thank God for being a wonderful caring Father, and my peace is restored...Repentance from God is His way of correcting us, for us to have ears to hear, and to turn from our sinful ways, I can not imagine my walk with our Lord without repentance, it would be like ignoring Him , that`s what I believe, I still have more growing as we all do, but this is where I at right now...xox...

 

[mailmandan]

In 1Jn 1:9 'confess' is in the present tense indicating thst the action is to be ongoing or habitual. I don't think it is necessary to be aware of and confess every shortcoming, or something will remain unforgiven.

Amen! If we confess (present tense) our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (vs. 9) which is IN CONTRAST TO - If we say that we have no sin (present tense), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (vs. 8) and - If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (vs. 10).

This is a settled recognition and ongoing acknowledgment that one is a sinner in need of cleansing and forgiveness. Some people misunderstand verse 9 to mean that we must confess each and every sin that we commit as we commit them (keep a specific inventory) as an additional requirement to remain cleansed and if we forget a sin we are toast!

 

[Issachar92]

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. (Act 26:20)

Do you see why the new is better? Under the old, you could turn from sin to… more sin! For instance, if you managed to turn from some nasty habits, your religious flesh would soon get puffed up with pride. Just look at the Pharisees. I doubt anyone repented (i.e., turned from sin) as much as they did.

The same "Nobody can obey" argument again huh? What about the countless of men in the Torah and the prophets who were said to be righteous.
What about the people who weren't pharisees? But DID repent and were considered righteous? Luke 1:6.

We have tried the hyp€rgrace message for quite some time now, and we can ask ourselves, did it work? Is the church better off now than it was before?
Yeah.

 

[preacher4truth]

The same "Nobody can obey" argument again huh?

More #fakenews. Straw man argument. No Calvinist believes this, yet you have to turn a blind eye to this fact or you have nothing to accuse.

We happen to know why a person can please God, and it's not inherent ability within man. You really hate this fact.

What about the countless of men in the Torah and the prophets who were said to be righteous.

Oh, what an exaggeration. Other than that, anyone declared righteous in the Word were only righteous because, um, they were born from above, and only because of this.

What about the people who weren't pharisees? But DID repent and were considered righteous? Luke 1:6.

We have tried the hyp€rgrace message for quite some time now, and we can ask ourselves, did it work? Is the church better off now than it was before?
Yeah.

Um. No.

You miss the forest for the trees. Incessantly. Wonder what it means that you continue to not see truth, while embracing and propagating false pelagian doctrine?

 

[7seasrekeyed]

Matthew 11:28
King James Version(KJV)

28.)Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
+++
Does that scripture Indicate force?

that scripture has nothing to do with God chastening us

it's a beautiful scripture and the words of Jesus

why do you see it as somehow, in some way, contradicting what Speak posted about chastening?

there is no connection whatsoever and 2 separate truths from scripture

 

[7seasrekeyed]

Hi Issachar...Is it not God who calls us to repent...I have found since walking with our Lord 2 yrs this month that when I lose my peace, I know God is reminding me I have done something not pleasing to Him...I go back over my day or passed days, and sure enough I find where I lost my peace, it maybe that I have spoken to someone not in a nice way, or did something in my behaviour, either way our Lord always lets me know...Then I come to Him and yes " Yes Lord you are right, thank you God for given me Your precious Son who has washed me clean and made me as white as snow", I am always brought back to remembrance of what our Lord has done for me, I thank God for being a wonderful caring Father, and my peace is restored...Repentance from God is His way of correcting us, for us to have ears to hear, and to turn from our sinful ways, I can not imagine my walk with our Lord without repentance, it would be like ignoring Him , that`s what I believe, I still have more growing as we all do, but this is where I at right now...xox...

Hi Rosemary

I guess you know he was responding to me and what I posted about a 'popular' gospel wherein Jesus is relegated to a teacher of the law and the Lord's prayer is not an example of prayer to be used today

repentance is agreeing with what God says...basically renewing our minds by what His word teaches us

chastening is different again. when a person continues in sin, God may 'chasten' them to correct them and put them back on the right path

to be sure, we often 'pay' or endure the consequences of our sins...like David, whose son died that was conceived with Bathsheba in the act of adultery

I am sorry to say that Christians can have a seared over conscience and begin to think that this sin or that sin is not so bad, but God is longsuffering towards us

the above is uber condensed and in no way meant to detract from what you say

but I just wanted to distinguish, for you, the difference between our part...repentance, agreeing with the word, and chastening which is different, but the end result would be repentance, as we agree, acknowledge our sin, and turn from it

 

[7seasrekeyed]

But some people have a different definition of confession. They think confession is something you must do to make yourself clean, righteous, and forgiven. “I have to review all my sins to receive forgiveness.” This is a dead work. Confessing-to-be-forgiven is like washing with dirty water. No matter how hard you scrub you won’t make yourself clean.

I think you are confusing Christianity with Catholicism and going to a priest

has anyone here said what you say?

no they have not. Salvation is not a revolving door. we don't loose salvation if we sin...THAT is what an advocate is for..we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus

trying to make a case for your side of the debate by exaggerating what is being said is not helping

I don't keep a record of my sins and neither does God

 

[Rosemaryx]

Hi Rosemary

I guess you know he was responding to me and what I posted about a 'popular' gospel wherein Jesus is relegated to a teacher of the law and the Lord's prayer is not an example of prayer to be used today

repentance is agreeing with what God says...basically renewing our minds by what His word teaches us

chastening is different again. when a person continues in sin, God may 'chasten' them to correct them and put them back on the right path

to be sure, we often 'pay' or endure the consequences of our sins...like David, whose son died that was conceived with Bathsheba in the act of adultery

I am sorry to say that Christians can have a seared over conscience and begin to think that this sin or that sin is not so bad, but God is longsuffering towards us

the above is uber condensed and in no way meant to detract from what you say

but I just wanted to distinguish, for you, the difference between our part...repentance, agreeing with the word, and chastening which is different, but the end result would be repentance, as we agree, acknowledge our sin, and turn from it

Thank you 7, I understand...xox...

 

[joaniemarie]

Matthew 11:28
King James Version(KJV)

28.)Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
+++
Does that scripture Indicate force?

Amen., You are right in applying this verse because going to Jesus is never a forced issue. He always offers Himself., that is how wonderful and gracious He is and how He deals with us. You are correct., chastening is not about forcing us to do anything. If God wants to force people into anything., why not start with the most important thing and that would be forcing people for their own good to be saved? Why not force people into that most important life saving soul saving place? Because that is not how God works. He offers graciously and we start to learn how to take thankfully.

No., God never forces His Son or His will on anyone. That is not the nature of our Father., that is certainly not how He works with us His children., His saints.

We are not dragged to the woodshed for our own good kicking and screaming as some Christians (like me used to) believe and as some would have us to believe. The Good Shepherd doesn't herd us from behind. He "leads" the sheep and goes on before the sheep and the sheep follow. We have a free choice to come and to follow. If we don't follow., we are leaving ourselves open to the enemies of the world., the flesh and the devil. We have been taught this from the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Why would we not want to follow our good Shepherd who desires to lead us? We are constrained and motivated by His love., not His anger or wrath. But many believers see God as an angry wrathful vengeful God and Father and Savior and insist all other Christians see God this way.

But we know that is not the way God operates in our lives. His offer is "Come" and He gives a guarantee to come all you who are heavy laden and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Jesus offers eternal life and all the answers to our needs. Jesus offers us peace rest and joy unto our souls. We come to Jesus every day the same way we were saved.... by grace through faith. We receive the promises the same way .,,, by grace through faith. We live our lives this way now., by grace through faith.

 

[joaniemarie]

The same "Nobody can obey" argument again huh? What about the countless of men in the Torah and the prophets who were said to be righteous.
What about the people who weren't pharisees? But DID repent and were considered righteous? Luke 1:6.

We have tried the hyp€rgrace message for quite some time now, and we can ask ourselves, did it work? Is the church better off now than it was before?
Yeah.

There is a way to live the Christian life and it's not by sweating and striving and stressing. Welcome to the new covenant. Read Galatians 2:20
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

[joaniemarie]

I think you are confusing Christianity with Catholicism and going to a priest

has anyone here said what you say?

no they have not. Salvation is not a revolving door. we don't loose salvation if we sin...THAT is what an advocate is for..we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus

trying to make a case for your side of the debate by exaggerating what is being said is not helping

I don't keep a record of my sins and neither does God

"There are few things quite so boring as being religious, but there is nothing quite so exciting as being a Christian! Most folks have never discovered the difference between the one and the other, so that there are those who sincerely try to live a life they do not have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ, and their own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of reality, they can only grasp at rituals, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither!

They are lamps without oil, cars without gas, and pens without ink, baffled at their own impotence in the absence of all that alone can make man functional; for man was so engineered by God that the presence of the Creator within the creature is indispensable to His humanity. Christ gave Himself for us to give Himself to us! His presence puts God back into the man! He came that we might have life - God's life!

There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!"

 

[Snoozy]

There is a way to live the Christian life and it's not by sweating and striving and stressing. Welcome to the new covenant. Read Galatians 2:20
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

the Lord said strive to enter.

 

[Rosemaryx]

Hi all...I must admit when I first read the title of this thread, it made me feel uncomfortable, but truth be known, I did not understand why it was written, but reading through the post I have a better understanding of what it means that Jesus has forgiven our sins, past, present and future and we do not have to keep asking for forgiveness over and over because He has already forgiven us, so I thank you those who have led me to search this out for myself...Now if I am correct, and if I am not then please correct me, when we sin, we should still always go to God and repent, agree with Him that I was wrong and He was right with a Godly sorrow, for when we sin, this is displeasing to God, we have put a hindrance in our relationship with Him, so we go to Him and tell Him how sorry we are and that with His strength in our weakness, help us to turn away and sin no more, and our relationship with Him is restored... am I right in thinking this way...xox...

 

[phil36]

Hi joanniemarie,

When I confess my sins i'm not perpetually begging! I also like every other Christian saved by grace, live by the power of Christ by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in me/us. So I am not too sure why you have this view that those who don't agree with you are 'religious' swap christ for Christianity; etc etc. I agree with alot of things that you say. However, Like all hyper grace teaching it goes to far and ignores sanctification and what that means for the believer.

All you are doing is misrepresenting those who disagree with you with a strawman.

 

[joaniemarie]

the Lord said strive to enter.

Hi Snoozy., All I can say is if you want to strive and stress your way into heaven and the will of God go for it. I will follow and enter into His rest instead. Because there is a rest for the people of God.