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C
Jesus did indeed die for all sin past, present and future. However, where many people go wrong doctrinally is that they assume and teach that God's grace is unconditional which is not scripturally accurate.
You see, if God's grace were entirely unconditional then there would have been no reason for Christ to have came to earth and sacrificed Himself on the cross. God could have more easily snapped His fingers, said all is forgiven and made everything right in the blink of an eye. Instead, before one can partake of God's grace, one must come to faith in Jesus Christ through hearing the gospel resulting in repentance.
Please understand, neither faith or repentance are the works of man but rather the fruit / evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of man. However, as the scripture above states, faith in Jesus Christ and His divine sacrifice (although a gift from God) is the prerequisite (the condition) for one to receive grace.
While there are those who are taught and would argue that grace must proceed faith in order for one to even embrace saving faith to begin with, they are mistaking God's love and mercy (both which are unconditional) toward all of mankind, confusing them with God's grace which is only extended to those destined to believe. If grace were not conditional then Unitarian doctrine would be correct and all men are forgiven and sparred judgement regardless of their spiritual state, a doctrine which we know does not line up with scripture.
You see, if God's grace were entirely unconditional then there would have been no reason for Christ to have came to earth and sacrificed Himself on the cross. God could have more easily snapped His fingers, said all is forgiven and made everything right in the blink of an eye. Instead, before one can partake of God's grace, one must come to faith in Jesus Christ through hearing the gospel resulting in repentance.
Please understand, neither faith or repentance are the works of man but rather the fruit / evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of man. However, as the scripture above states, faith in Jesus Christ and His divine sacrifice (although a gift from God) is the prerequisite (the condition) for one to receive grace.
While there are those who are taught and would argue that grace must proceed faith in order for one to even embrace saving faith to begin with, they are mistaking God's love and mercy (both which are unconditional) toward all of mankind, confusing them with God's grace which is only extended to those destined to believe. If grace were not conditional then Unitarian doctrine would be correct and all men are forgiven and sparred judgement regardless of their spiritual state, a doctrine which we know does not line up with scripture.
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This pre-forgiveness of future sins pivots around the belief that one can be free from sin whilst in bondage to it. Of course the idea of freedom from sin is simply freedom on a theoretical/judicial basis with no real transformation of the believer's life, and they still remain slaves to their sin nature. It is the same lie that Satan orchestrated in the beginning: "ye shall not surely die". Basically, according to this doctrine, a believer can live in opposition to God and not die spiritually because they have been forgiven of future sins at initial conversion.
It is a licentious doctrine that conflicts with sanctification of believers and hinders spiritual growth. It devalues of the holiness of God and His will that His people are holy in this present world and it allows for believers to live and die with unrepentant sins.
The atonement of Christ covers all sins however the moment a sinner repents and believes in the Lord Jesus they will be forgiven for sins committed up to the point of conversion, the condemnation upon them because of their past transgressions will be taken away, and they will be declared righteous in God's sight by grace. Their desire now is to stop yielding to the dictates of the flesh and live a holy life, which God enables them through His indwelling Spirit. Rom 6:6- Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Obedience, repentance, sanctification, holiness would all be meaningless if future sins are forgiven before committed. Nowhere does the scripture allude to such doctrine, rather we have passages like these:
Prov 28:13- He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Titus 2:11-12- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; The grace that saved us also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. We would not need to guard against sin after salvation if future sins are forgiven before committed because we would still be in a justified state while indulging them.
1 John 1:19- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We would not need to confess our sins to God when we sin because we would still be in right standing with Him. In fact, God would not chasten anyone for future sins if they were forgiven at initial conversion because when He forgives He forgets them (Heb 8:12), yet there are instances of backsliding and chastening. Therefore chastening implies that either the individual was never purged, cleansed, and forgiven for future sins at conversion or the sins were reinstated into their account.
2 Peter 1:9- But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. The blood of Christ purges the sinner's old, past, sins.
As believers we are to repent and seek the mercy of God when we sin and have been convicted by the Holy Spirit for His grace is always available to cleanse and pardon. Unrepentant sin defiles believers' spiritual garments and grieves the Holy Spirit and the bible is clear that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
No one can sin their way into Heaven for God is of purer eyes than to behold evil. Those on the narrow way must be dead to sinful pleasures, dead to self, dead to idolatry, and alive to God, which is possible through God's superabundant grace. The sad reality is that some Christians who think they are walking on the narrow way are actually gallivanting with multitudes on the broad way to destruction.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:9-11).
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white:for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev 3:4-5). Sins committed after salvation would not defile our spiritual garment if they have been forgiven in advance.
It is a licentious doctrine that conflicts with sanctification of believers and hinders spiritual growth. It devalues of the holiness of God and His will that His people are holy in this present world and it allows for believers to live and die with unrepentant sins.
The atonement of Christ covers all sins however the moment a sinner repents and believes in the Lord Jesus they will be forgiven for sins committed up to the point of conversion, the condemnation upon them because of their past transgressions will be taken away, and they will be declared righteous in God's sight by grace. Their desire now is to stop yielding to the dictates of the flesh and live a holy life, which God enables them through His indwelling Spirit. Rom 6:6- Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Obedience, repentance, sanctification, holiness would all be meaningless if future sins are forgiven before committed. Nowhere does the scripture allude to such doctrine, rather we have passages like these:
Prov 28:13- He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Titus 2:11-12- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; The grace that saved us also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. We would not need to guard against sin after salvation if future sins are forgiven before committed because we would still be in a justified state while indulging them.
1 John 1:19- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We would not need to confess our sins to God when we sin because we would still be in right standing with Him. In fact, God would not chasten anyone for future sins if they were forgiven at initial conversion because when He forgives He forgets them (Heb 8:12), yet there are instances of backsliding and chastening. Therefore chastening implies that either the individual was never purged, cleansed, and forgiven for future sins at conversion or the sins were reinstated into their account.
2 Peter 1:9- But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. The blood of Christ purges the sinner's old, past, sins.
As believers we are to repent and seek the mercy of God when we sin and have been convicted by the Holy Spirit for His grace is always available to cleanse and pardon. Unrepentant sin defiles believers' spiritual garments and grieves the Holy Spirit and the bible is clear that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
No one can sin their way into Heaven for God is of purer eyes than to behold evil. Those on the narrow way must be dead to sinful pleasures, dead to self, dead to idolatry, and alive to God, which is possible through God's superabundant grace. The sad reality is that some Christians who think they are walking on the narrow way are actually gallivanting with multitudes on the broad way to destruction.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor 6:9-11).
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white:for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev 3:4-5). Sins committed after salvation would not defile our spiritual garment if they have been forgiven in advance.
P
Hmm..I wonder of you guys have thought this through...
IF only past sins are forgiven...
and since I cannot (nor would I want to!) crucify Christ again...
why repent? why even ask for forgiveness?
Those sins done since salvation could not possibly be covered by His blood, don't you see?
I have belonged to the Lord since I was a very little girl.
In the time that has passed since that time, I have sinned.
But even if all I had done was lose my temper...just one time...
there's no way that could possibly be forgiven under your doctrine,
don't you see that?
How can there possibly be grace enough to cover sin that wasn't covered at the time of my salvation??
It would require...no demand another crucifixion.
I see that you worry (yes, I said worry...another sin, yeah?)
that people who know every sin was paid for on Calvary
will automatically be licentious.
(judging the heart, y'all...another sin)
I say why preach to the choir here in this forum?
We who know grace are not unrepentant sinners, that I know of.
I'm not running around on my husband, stealing from others to fuel my drug habit.
I'm not robbing banks or setting fire to other people's property.
I'm not beating my children or living luxuriously while ignoring the poor.
I'm not trying to argue with you, either. ♥
But perhaps...if you spent time on something else,
and then if you see a brother or sister behaving the way you fear
seek to restore that one in the love of Christ
(who died for them)...
you may be happier? (that's my wish, truly)
and get a lot more done.
spoken from a heart full of love for God and for you
('specially you, Scott ♥
-ellie
IF only past sins are forgiven...
and since I cannot (nor would I want to!) crucify Christ again...
why repent? why even ask for forgiveness?
Those sins done since salvation could not possibly be covered by His blood, don't you see?
I have belonged to the Lord since I was a very little girl.
In the time that has passed since that time, I have sinned.
But even if all I had done was lose my temper...just one time...
there's no way that could possibly be forgiven under your doctrine,
don't you see that?
How can there possibly be grace enough to cover sin that wasn't covered at the time of my salvation??
It would require...no demand another crucifixion.
I see that you worry (yes, I said worry...another sin, yeah?)
that people who know every sin was paid for on Calvary
will automatically be licentious.
(judging the heart, y'all...another sin)
I say why preach to the choir here in this forum?
We who know grace are not unrepentant sinners, that I know of.
I'm not running around on my husband, stealing from others to fuel my drug habit.
I'm not robbing banks or setting fire to other people's property.
I'm not beating my children or living luxuriously while ignoring the poor.
I'm not trying to argue with you, either. ♥
But perhaps...if you spent time on something else,
and then if you see a brother or sister behaving the way you fear
seek to restore that one in the love of Christ
(who died for them)...
you may be happier? (that's my wish, truly)
and get a lot more done.
spoken from a heart full of love for God and for you
('specially you, Scott ♥
-ellie
C
Excellent post and very true. What many people don't realize is that Christ did indeed die for all sin, including future sin however, such grace is on a conditional basis. How so?
Through grace God has not only provided the means for the forgiveness of past sin but also the means to avoid future sin through walking in the Holy Spirit on a consistant basis thus it is not God's will for the believer to continue on in bondage to sin after salvation. That is why scripture states that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit by sinning since it is through constant communion with Him that we are given power over the lusts of the flesh and desires of this world.
The penalty for any and all sin is death, even future sins committed by a professed believer. However, scripture states in Hebrews 4 and 1 John 1 & 2 that if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father through Christ when we exercise our faith in Christ and His teachings by responding to conviction appropriately through humility and repentance. In other words, the only means in which we have access to "future grace" is by responding to the convictions and chastenings of the Holy Spirit appropriately, thus exercizing our faith in Jesus' own teachings that the penalty for all sin is no less than death. Despite our sin, we have access to throne of grace because the word of God states that there is forgiveness for those humble themselves and repent, repentance being the fruit / evidence of true saving faith. Faith, of course, being the only prerequisite (condition) to receive grace.
Through grace God has not only provided the means for the forgiveness of past sin but also the means to avoid future sin through walking in the Holy Spirit on a consistant basis thus it is not God's will for the believer to continue on in bondage to sin after salvation. That is why scripture states that we are not to grieve the Holy Spirit by sinning since it is through constant communion with Him that we are given power over the lusts of the flesh and desires of this world.
The penalty for any and all sin is death, even future sins committed by a professed believer. However, scripture states in Hebrews 4 and 1 John 1 & 2 that if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father through Christ when we exercise our faith in Christ and His teachings by responding to conviction appropriately through humility and repentance. In other words, the only means in which we have access to "future grace" is by responding to the convictions and chastenings of the Holy Spirit appropriately, thus exercizing our faith in Jesus' own teachings that the penalty for all sin is no less than death. Despite our sin, we have access to throne of grace because the word of God states that there is forgiveness for those humble themselves and repent, repentance being the fruit / evidence of true saving faith. Faith, of course, being the only prerequisite (condition) to receive grace.
C
True but that is only a half truth. Yes, Christ did indeed sacrifice his life for the forgiveness of sin however, the cross does not stop there.
Why is forgiveness of sin important? Because without the forgiveness of sins, right relationship between God and man could never be restored. Yes, Jesus gave his life for the forgiveness of sins, but that was merely the beginning of what was accomplished on the cross, not the end. Because Christ gave His life on the cross, man now has access to the Father through the Son thus right fellowship with God has been restored. Only through right relationship with God (walking in the Spirit) can sin's power over mankind be broken, the only means through which believers can mature into overcomers.
You see, forgiveness of sin was not the end to a means but rather, a means to a much larger end. In other words, the forgiveness of sin was only the beginning, the first of many things accomplished by Christ through the cross.
Why is forgiveness of sin important? Because without the forgiveness of sins, right relationship between God and man could never be restored. Yes, Jesus gave his life for the forgiveness of sins, but that was merely the beginning of what was accomplished on the cross, not the end. Because Christ gave His life on the cross, man now has access to the Father through the Son thus right fellowship with God has been restored. Only through right relationship with God (walking in the Spirit) can sin's power over mankind be broken, the only means through which believers can mature into overcomers.
You see, forgiveness of sin was not the end to a means but rather, a means to a much larger end. In other words, the forgiveness of sin was only the beginning, the first of many things accomplished by Christ through the cross.
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What? How can grace be conditional to start with, and then finished with faith being the ONLY prerequisite to receive it?
Is not a measure of faith given to EVERYMAN? Is not EVERYMAN'S expectation the manifestation of the sons of God?
The issue SHOULD be not if one has faith, but HOW the individual applies it to his life. The problem is that men wants to have domination another's faith.
C
Yes every sin was paid for on Calvary however, that payment can only be accessed through faith in Christ and His word. While His Word does teach that there is forgiveness for all sin, His Word also teaches us how sin can be broken in our lives through abiding in His Spirit.
In my opinion, there is no greater sin that a believer can commit than to ignore the cries of another believer who is being eaten alive by condemnation for his her own sin. I have found that the main reason why so many believers turn a blind eye toward the plight of others is because they too are being eaten alive by their own sins. One can not give what they themselves do not have thus because they are unable to overcome the sins in their own lives, they tell others that everything is fine when, in truth, neither are walking in the fullness of that which Christ has prepared for us through the cross.
In my opinion, there is no greater sin that a believer can commit than to ignore the cries of another believer who is being eaten alive by condemnation for his her own sin. I have found that the main reason why so many believers turn a blind eye toward the plight of others is because they too are being eaten alive by their own sins. One can not give what they themselves do not have thus because they are unable to overcome the sins in their own lives, they tell others that everything is fine when, in truth, neither are walking in the fullness of that which Christ has prepared for us through the cross.
We must understand that quoting scripture to interpret what we come to believe is nice, but whether right or wrong it is SCRIPTURE that cannot be broken.
That being said, I have no church and know no doctrine. I only keep it simple.
Are all men saved by faith? Yes
Does everyman have faith? Yes
God said He would save all and I believe Him, despite how much a man may deceive himself.
Hmm..I wonder of you guys have thought this through...
IF only past sins are forgiven...
and since I cannot (nor would I want to!) crucify Christ again...
why repent? why even ask for forgiveness?
Those sins done since salvation could not possibly be covered by His blood, don't you see?
I have belonged to the Lord since I was a very little girl.
In the time that has passed since that time, I have sinned.
But even if all I had done was lose my temper...just one time...
there's no way that could possibly be forgiven under your doctrine,
don't you see that?
How can there possibly be grace enough to cover sin that wasn't covered at the time of my salvation??
It would require...no demand another crucifixion.
I see that you worry (yes, I said worry...another sin, yeah?)
that people who know every sin was paid for on Calvary
will automatically be licentious.
(judging the heart, y'all...another sin)
I say why preach to the choir here in this forum?
We who know grace are not unrepentant sinners, that I know of.
I'm not running around on my husband, stealing from others to fuel my drug habit.
I'm not robbing banks or setting fire to other people's property.
I'm not beating my children or living luxuriously while ignoring the poor.
I'm not trying to argue with you, either. ♥
But perhaps...if you spent time on something else,
and then if you see a brother or sister behaving the way you fear
seek to restore that one in the love of Christ
(who died for them)...
you may be happier? (that's my wish, truly)
and get a lot more done.
spoken from a heart full of love for God and for you
('specially you, Scott ♥
-ellie
IF only past sins are forgiven...
and since I cannot (nor would I want to!) crucify Christ again...
why repent? why even ask for forgiveness?
Those sins done since salvation could not possibly be covered by His blood, don't you see?
I have belonged to the Lord since I was a very little girl.
In the time that has passed since that time, I have sinned.
But even if all I had done was lose my temper...just one time...
there's no way that could possibly be forgiven under your doctrine,
don't you see that?
How can there possibly be grace enough to cover sin that wasn't covered at the time of my salvation??
It would require...no demand another crucifixion.
I see that you worry (yes, I said worry...another sin, yeah?)
that people who know every sin was paid for on Calvary
will automatically be licentious.
(judging the heart, y'all...another sin)
I say why preach to the choir here in this forum?
We who know grace are not unrepentant sinners, that I know of.
I'm not running around on my husband, stealing from others to fuel my drug habit.
I'm not robbing banks or setting fire to other people's property.
I'm not beating my children or living luxuriously while ignoring the poor.
I'm not trying to argue with you, either. ♥
But perhaps...if you spent time on something else,
and then if you see a brother or sister behaving the way you fear
seek to restore that one in the love of Christ
(who died for them)...
you may be happier? (that's my wish, truly)
and get a lot more done.
spoken from a heart full of love for God and for you
('specially you, Scott ♥
-ellie
this past sins idea taken to its ultimate (il)logical conclusion: sins past AT THE TIME OF THE WRITING OF THE PASSAGE.
meaning none of our sins were covered AT ALL.
and yes ellie....it would require He offer Himself again and again.
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BUMP
this past sins idea taken to its ultimate (il)logical conclusion: sins past AT THE TIME OF THE WRITING OF THE PASSAGE.
meaning none of our sins were covered AT ALL.
and yes ellie....it would require He offer Himself again and again.
this past sins idea taken to its ultimate (il)logical conclusion: sins past AT THE TIME OF THE WRITING OF THE PASSAGE.
meaning none of our sins were covered AT ALL.
and yes ellie....it would require He offer Himself again and again.
Christ took away the sins of the world, EXCEPT those that were alive after His death and resurrection?
A fine work of reason. You managed without any reference to Scripture. But for those of us who hold to the Supremacy of Scripture over reason in conflicting areas guess which one is trump?
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
(Rom 4:5-6)
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
(Rom 4:5-6)