10 Reasons Sin Confession Is Questionable!!!
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Let's look at it this way. See if you agree with this.
Forgiveness of all sin so that we don't ever incur GOD's wrath occurred at the cross. That is covered when we are baptized into Christ. Those who remain in Christ are safe, just as those in Egypt who remained in their blood protected houses were safe from the death angel.
Forgiveness of sins we might commit after that point do not cause us to incur GOD's wrath, but they do impact us. The forgiveness is there and waiting, but we have to turn away from our sin and acknowledge it to receive that forgiveness.
Forgiveness of all sin so that we don't ever incur GOD's wrath occurred at the cross. That is covered when we are baptized into Christ. Those who remain in Christ are safe, just as those in Egypt who remained in their blood protected houses were safe from the death angel.
Forgiveness of sins we might commit after that point do not cause us to incur GOD's wrath, but they do impact us. The forgiveness is there and waiting, but we have to turn away from our sin and acknowledge it to receive that forgiveness.
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I agreed with everything up until the point of your last sentence I put in bold. I still believe in repentance and turning away from sin, especially in respect to walking in God's will for our lives. Multiple times are we told to walk in righteousness because the righteous commit righteousness, we are told to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God. So I have no issue with repentance.
The forgiveness is truly there, but it is not waiting. Its been given. Repentance is not something we do to receive God's forgiveness, its what we do to walk in that forgiveness. We may have great fellowship with God for example, when we know He doesn't hold our sins against us, and there is no condemnation. The forgiveness is ours, and because of this, we may be before Him repentant asking for deliverance, the escape, the victory, and He will give it to us. He also will assure us, comfort us, of His forgiveness (that is sourced through Christ).
We are not worthy of this goodness, far from it. Yet Christ did die for it, in accordance with the Father's will.
The forgiveness is truly there, but it is not waiting. Its been given. Repentance is not something we do to receive God's forgiveness, its what we do to walk in that forgiveness. We may have great fellowship with God for example, when we know He doesn't hold our sins against us, and there is no condemnation. The forgiveness is ours, and because of this, we may be before Him repentant asking for deliverance, the escape, the victory, and He will give it to us. He also will assure us, comfort us, of His forgiveness (that is sourced through Christ).
We are not worthy of this goodness, far from it. Yet Christ did die for it, in accordance with the Father's will.
The problem with this reasoning is that when a person sins, his/her conscience becomes defiled. It's GOD's way of letting us know we've done something unrighteous. We can't just ignore a defiled conscience or it will become seared. Acknowledging the truth allows forgiveness to cleanse a defiled conscience.
John 20:21-23
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” [SUP]22 [/SUP]And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [SUP]23 [/SUP]If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
It looks like you must confess your sins to an apostle or one of their successors so that they can decide whether to forgive you or not.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” [SUP]22 [/SUP]And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [SUP]23 [/SUP]If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
It looks like you must confess your sins to an apostle or one of their successors so that they can decide whether to forgive you or not.
Sure. There may be more. I haven't studied this in depth
And having heard, they were vexed in the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of [the] apostles, What shall we do men, brethren? And Peter said to them, Repent, and be immersed each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for a release of sins! and you shall receive the present of the holy spirit. Acts 2:37-38
“Surely no one can withhold the water for these [people] to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!” So he ordered [that] they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days. Acts 10:47-48
“Surely no one can withhold the water for these [people] to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!” So he ordered [that] they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days. Acts 10:47-48
I've heard one person say that for a Christian to sin is like a fish out of water. It doesn't belong. We may sin (as John said "If anyone sins...") but we, as believers, walk in righteousness. If/when we sin it does weigh on our conscience, and what usually lifts this weight is making amends (as some have brought up).
Some people feel that they must seek forgiveness for sin, after committing it, where as others believe they are forgiven, express apologies, and move on. It is through this expression that often our own guilt is lifted, especially is the case when we believe ourselves to be in some way condemned by God (eternally, or even relational). So they repent, confess their sin, and because they believe God has now forgiven them, all is well. The negative emotions are lifted.
What is the difference between the person who believes God has forgiven them already, and the one that seeks forgiveness? Peace! As for the defiled conscience, would you not say that such feelings are far more extreme for the one that believes a penalty is to be incurred? They are in fear, and their conscience weighs heavy as a result of such belief, as opposed to just their conscience bearing witness against them (as they know better). There is a difference between a healthy/pure conscience and one that is oppressive as a result of false doctrine.
Either way, and again, many of us here have already stated that they confess their sins (not for forgiveness) and so even under your premise, of not acknowledging the sin would lead to a seared conscience, people do acknowledge their sin. The only difference is that they aren't seeking forgiveness from God but transparency unto victory. They do not hide their sin, a silly endeavor.
Therefore your conclusion as to what my reasoning would lead to is incorrect. God's grace (and forgiveness) won't lead someone to a seared conscience. In fact, under such reasoning it would lead to a healthier conscience (not being oppressive due to condemnation, eternally or on a relational level). God's forgiveness, already being given, doesn't desensitize us to our wrongs. We still acknowledge them.
Some people feel that they must seek forgiveness for sin, after committing it, where as others believe they are forgiven, express apologies, and move on. It is through this expression that often our own guilt is lifted, especially is the case when we believe ourselves to be in some way condemned by God (eternally, or even relational). So they repent, confess their sin, and because they believe God has now forgiven them, all is well. The negative emotions are lifted.
What is the difference between the person who believes God has forgiven them already, and the one that seeks forgiveness? Peace! As for the defiled conscience, would you not say that such feelings are far more extreme for the one that believes a penalty is to be incurred? They are in fear, and their conscience weighs heavy as a result of such belief, as opposed to just their conscience bearing witness against them (as they know better). There is a difference between a healthy/pure conscience and one that is oppressive as a result of false doctrine.
Either way, and again, many of us here have already stated that they confess their sins (not for forgiveness) and so even under your premise, of not acknowledging the sin would lead to a seared conscience, people do acknowledge their sin. The only difference is that they aren't seeking forgiveness from God but transparency unto victory. They do not hide their sin, a silly endeavor.
Therefore your conclusion as to what my reasoning would lead to is incorrect. God's grace (and forgiveness) won't lead someone to a seared conscience. In fact, under such reasoning it would lead to a healthier conscience (not being oppressive due to condemnation, eternally or on a relational level). God's forgiveness, already being given, doesn't desensitize us to our wrongs. We still acknowledge them.
I believe the confessing to God is more for the person.
What confession does is help the believer realize God's grace, mercy, forgiveness.
So maybe if the last sentence stated as follows:
"The forgiveness is there and waiting, but we have to turn away from our sin and acknowledge it to realize that forgiveness"
When we turn from God, we easily forget who and what we are in Christ Jesus. God still sees us as His children. And we still have Jesus Christ as our Intercessor (Heb 7:25) and our Advocate (1 John 2:1). However, when we have turned from God, we don't see ourselves as He sees us.
I speak only for myself:
I can feel when I have turned from Him. So the moment I realize I've turned from Him, I go to God and bare my heart before Him. He has never rejected me. He has always welcomed me with open arms and He holds me close to Him and whispers His sweet words in my heart and applies His healing balm.
Now I've just got to get to the point where I see the snare laid out so I don't fall into it. [sigh]
What confession does is help the believer realize God's grace, mercy, forgiveness.
So maybe if the last sentence stated as follows:
"The forgiveness is there and waiting, but we have to turn away from our sin and acknowledge it to realize that forgiveness"
When we turn from God, we easily forget who and what we are in Christ Jesus. God still sees us as His children. And we still have Jesus Christ as our Intercessor (Heb 7:25) and our Advocate (1 John 2:1). However, when we have turned from God, we don't see ourselves as He sees us.
I speak only for myself:
I can feel when I have turned from Him. So the moment I realize I've turned from Him, I go to God and bare my heart before Him. He has never rejected me. He has always welcomed me with open arms and He holds me close to Him and whispers His sweet words in my heart and applies His healing balm.
Now I've just got to get to the point where I see the snare laid out so I don't fall into it. [sigh]
Confess to the high priest
Therefore, [because we] have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all [things] in the same way, without sin. Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
False humility. A "healthy/pure conscience" is the result of confessing our sin(s) with a sorrowful and contrite heart ... and not in believing that "we're good to go" by simply "acknowledging". BTW ... what's the difference in confessing and acknowledgement ? And why would one acknowledge and at the same time not bother confessing or asking for forgiveness ? Does God frown on us or are we pestering Him when we come to Him for forgiveness for a transgression after we've been redeemed ? The psalms are full of sorrowful pleas for forgiveness ... by believers. "they aren't seeking forgiveness but transparency unto victory" >>>>> What is that supposed to mean ? God doesn't want or expect believers to confess our sins because we're already saved ? He's fine with us saying ... Yeah .. I blew it again Lord but I know you're cool with it because I acknowledged it ? Complete nonsense bordering on arrogance ... if not already submersed in it. "God's grace (and forgiveness) won't lead somebody to a seared conscience" .... you're right ... it won't ... because if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. I don't feel condemned for this very reason.